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LOVE 

CAN CONQUER 
PRIDE. 



LOVE 

CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 



CARRYE SILVEY JACOB, 

Princeton, Ky. 


Nashville, Tenn. : 
The University Press. 
1893. 





■\ 




\ 


-L^ . 


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1890, 
By CARR YE SIEVE Y .JACOB, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 




\ 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


CHAPTER I. 

“ So your answer is final? Yo.u*prize money more 
highly than you do the pure, unselfish love I have 
lavished upon you? I suppose I should thank God 
that I have been spared the fate .of having such a 
wife ; for, when a woman stoops so low as to sell her 
heart for gold, she is not worthy of the love of any 
man. Silvia, you did not used to be so cold and 
proud; what has changed you? Oh, my darling, re- 
consider your answer and be true to your own heart. 
Come with me, and I will make up for the absence of 
wealth with love and tenderness. What would money 
be worth to you, my darling, without happiness? for 
there can be no happiness without love.” Elmo 
Vane’s face was pale as death as he ceased speaking, 
and held out his arms to Silvia Carlton imploringly. 
He was one of nature’s noblemen, with eyes of the 
darkest blue — eyes that any one could trust; a high, 
noble forehead, over which clustered a wreath of 
brown, curly hair; a mouth small and sen'sitive as a 
woman’s. 

He belonged to one of the best families in the 
county. The Vanes had been noted, for generations, 
for their chivalry and pride. His father had been very 


4 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


wealthy; but, like others, he speculated and lost all. 
When the news came that he was ruined, he became 
paralyzed and lived only a few short hours. He died, 
leaving Elmo with nothing except an untarnished 
name. 

Having gone to Silvia Carlton, the one love of his 
life, he had told her all, and asked her to be his wife. 
Not then, but in a few years when he should have 
made enough to buy the old home back. But her 
answer had been so cold and cruel ! She had told him 
coldly and calmly that she could never be a poor 
man’s wife. 

Silvia Carlton was as beautiful as a dream. She 
was tall and graceful as a queen. Her eyes were like 
twin stars. They were of that dark brown that be- 
long only to the daughters of the Sunny South. The 
expression of her eyes varied with her moods. When 
excited or angry, they were black as midnight. 
When peaceful, they were soft and tender as could 
be. Her hair was a beautiful golden brown that was 
like spun gold in the sunlight. A dainty little mouth 
that was a little too proud mayhaps, but beautiful and 
tender for all that. 

When she smiled, all the pride vanished, and she 
was irresistible. As she stood there under the shade 
of the tall trees and listened to the words of Elmo 
Vane, that lovely August day, all the pride was gone ; 
nothing remained but tenderness and love. For she 
loved him with that love that only a dark-eyed, pas-. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


5 


sionate woman can love — with a love that comes once 
in a life-time. She raised her sweet, brown eyes to 
his face, and answered gently : 

“Nay, dear, do not tempt me. I could never be 
content to be a poor man’s wife. Ah, my love, do 
not think that I do not suffer ; when I have said good- 
by to you I shall have said good-by to all that I hold 
dear in life. If I listened to the pleadings of my 
heart I would be your wife ; but I shall not do that, 
dear, for I am tired of poverty, and when I go to the 
altar it must be by the side of a man with houses and 
lands, for they are the things that count and that last. 
You know the old adage, ‘When poverty comes in the 
door, love flies through the window,’ and I fear our 
case would be no e'xception.” 

“ I suppose, then, when Douglas Sinclair asks you 
to be his wife, you will say ‘yes?’ ” he asked slowly. 

“You have no right to question me so,” she an- 
swered proudly. Then, seeing his sad face, she repent- 
ed her harshness and added : “ Yes, when he does me 
the honor of asking me to be his wife, I will answer 
‘yes.’” 

“Do you suppose if he knew your sentiments he 
would marry you? It seems like a pity to see a man 
deceived so easily,” he said. 

“No, I suppose not,” she answered. “May be you 
deem it your duty to go and explain my motive to 
him ; then he would not ask me to be his wife, and 
you would have the sweet consolation of knowing 


6 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


that you had saved me from ruin.” There is a touch 
of scorn in her voice. ^ 

“ Silvia, I thought you knew me better than to 
think me capable of such a cowardly act. However 
low I may be in your estimation, I am at least a gen- , 
tleman,” he answered proudly. 

“ Do you know, Elmo, how we used to play, and 
quarrel, and make up? We are older now; let us not 
quarrel. Let us at least part as friends. It may be 
years before we meet again, and I wish to remember 
Uiat we were friends to the last,” she said sadly. 

“ No, Silvia, I have no desire to quarrel with you ; 
but as to friendship between you and I, that can 
never be. I asked for bread, and you gave me a stone. 
When you and I part to-day, we part as strangers 
and forever. Miss Carlton, may I wish you joy? 
When we meet again you will be Mrs. Sinclair, the 
leader of society ; and I would have you understand, 
Silvia Carlton, that the man you were too proud to 
marry will be too proud to be friends with Douglas 
Sinclair’s wife.” The pain in his voice was terrible. 
She goes up to him and, placing one beautiful hand 
on his arm; looks up into his angry blue eyes and 
says gently : 

“ Listen, Elmo ; I do not ask^ou to be friends with 
Douglas Sinclair’s wife. I only ask you to speak 
kindly to your old playmate and friend. Do not 
make my lot harder to bear. It is best that we should 
part, dear. It is not that I am too proud to marry 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


7 


you, but it is because I am afraid to face poverty, 
even with you — the one that I love better than my 
own life. Let us part as friends. Let me wish you 
God-speed upon your journey, and sometimes when 
you are far away in your western home think of me — 
not bitterly but sorrowfully. My lot is harder to 
bear than yours, in that I have to send you from me. 
Will you not forgive me, dear, and try to think kindly 
of me?” she asked pleadingly. 

“No,” he answered slowly; do you think I am pre- 
sumptuous enough to think that you love me? You 
are a cold, heartless flirt. If it was your intention to 
win my love and break my heart, I must ask you to 
allow me the privilege of congratulating you upon 
your success. For I have loved — nay, do love you — 
with all my heart, and you can say truthfully that 
you have broken one man’s heart and ruined his life. 
I could almost curse the day I met you.” 

“ Elmo,” she pleaded sadly. 

“ Forgive me, Silvia,” he said gently. “ I do not 
mean that, for the happiest hours of my life have 
been spent with you. Forgive my hard, bitter words ; 
for, as you say, we will soon be far apartf^and we will 
at least part as friends for the sake of old times.” 
He held out his hand to her, and said : 

“Good-by, my little brown-eyed sweetheart; we 
part now, it may be for years, it may be forever ; but 
of one thing be assured — I shall hope that you will be 
happy, and that the dearest dream of your life may 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


be realized — that of being wealthy. Take care, my 
dear, that you do not find it all an empty dream.’’ 

“ Good by, Elmo,” she said simply. “ May God 
bless you, and may you be successful in your new 
home. I shall pray for you, wherever you may be.” 

So they parted, he to try his fortune in the golden 
west, she to crush her heart and marry for gold. Do 
not judge her too harshly, gentle reader. She is not 
wholly bad. Deep down in her .heart she despises 
herself for selling her heart for gold, but she cannot 
face poverty. Ah ! you who have been reared in the 
lap of luxury can blame her, for you have never had 
to toil from morning till night for your daily bread.. 
But those who have had her sad experience can sym- 
pathize with her, and not blame her too much. 

She had only done as thousands of others have done 
— sacrificed love for wealth. She loved Elmo Vane 
with her whole heart, and as he left her she went up 
to her room, and, falling upon her knees, she prayed 
that she might be strong enough to bear her loss. As 
she rose from her knees she raised her eyes, and 
they fell upon his pictured face, and there seemed to 
be a look of reproach in the blue eyes as they gazed 
at her. A cry of agony came from the white lips, 
and she cried out, “ Oh, my love, how can I live with- 
out you? What have I done? Why did I send you 
from me? You think me cold and heartless, while all 
the time my heart is slowly breaking for love of you.” 
She suffered until it seemed as if reason itself would 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


9 


desert its throne. She walked the floor and wrung 
her hands until the weary limbs refused to support 
the body, and she sank upon the floor in a deathly 
swoon. There they found her an hour after. When 
consciousness was restored she asked to be left alone, 
saying she was not well and the heat of the room 
had made her faint. Let us leave her now, and visit 
the home of Douglas Sinclair. 


CHAPTER II. 


Quite different is this home from the one in which 
we left Silvia Carlton. Picture to yourself a palatial 
residence on the most fashionable street in the city. 
The interior is one perfect gem of art and elegance. 
We will not pause to gaze in the elegantly furnished 
rooms, but will hasten up the broad, oaken staircase, 
and enter a room to the left. This is the room that 
the master of this palatial home occupies. It is one 
in which is combined all the beauty and comfort that 
can be purchased with gold. 

In this room sits Douglas Sinclair to-night. He is 
a very handsome man. His hair is as black as mid- 
night, and two or three stray curls fall over a high, 
noble forehead. His eyes are a beautiful, clear gray. 
The lines around the handsome mouth and chin de- 
note more of weakness than strength. He is the only 
son of a wealthy mother. His father having died 
when he was quite a child, he had been raised by an 
indulgent mother and had never had a wish ungrati- 
fied. There is a decided frown on his handsome face 
to-night, as if his thoughts were not pleasant. He is 
thinking of his mother and her pride. He is wonder- 
ing what she will say when he tells her of his love 
for Silvia Carlton. He knows whatever she may say 
cannot change his love ; for he is madly, devotedly 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 11 

in love with her. He knows that she is proud, and 
that her pride will suffer terribly when she knows 
that her only son is going to marry a girl who works 
for her daily bread. 

He knows also that, although poor, Silvia Carlton’s 
name is as good as his, and that she is as proud as 
he or his haughty mother. Although circumstances 
have forced her to work, she is every inch a lady and 
is a thousand times more beautiful than many of the 
belles of society. As he sits there thinking of all 
this he hears a gentle tap on the door, and, hastening 
to open it, finds his mother there. 

Why, mother,” he says fondly, “ what have I to 
thank for this visit? Sit here in this comfortable 
chair, and allow me to sit here at your feet as I used 
to long ago. You have not visited my ‘den’ for a 
good long while.” 

“Yes, dear, I will sit down, for lhave much to say 
to you on a subject which has been on my mind for 
a long time. My son, why do you not marry? That 
is the one cloud in my happiness. There are so 
many beautiful girls that I hardly see how you can 
help admiring some of them.” She paused, as though 
waiting for him to answer ; then goes on : “ Do you 
realize that you are getting old? You are nearly 
twenty-seven,” she says sadly. “ Do you not think 
it time you were bringing home a bride?” 

“Yes, mother, I was thinking of that when you 
came. I have decided to marry — that is, if the girl 


12 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


I love will accept me. Mother, I have always been 
considered a brave man, but I confess I am afraid to 
ask her to be my wife ; for I love her more than life,, 
and if she refuses me I shall have lost all interest in 
life, and shall go down to my grave unwedded.^’ 

She bends her proud head and kisses him fondly^ 
as she asks, “Who could refuse my bonny boy? My 
dear, tell me who she is, that I may know if I am to 
be pleased with my daughter. But your choice could 
not do otherwise than please me,’^ she said gently. 

“Mother, may God bless you for those words. 
They give me hope ; for I had feared you would not 
be pleased,’’ he said joyfully. 

One of the servants came to the door and said a 
gentleman wished to see him, so their interview end- 
ed. Perhaps it would have been best for him, and 
best for all, if he had told her whom he loved. But it 
was not to be so, for fate was weaving a web in which 
to entangle him ; and so he went on blindly to his- 
doom. 

^ if; ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

Silvia Carlton makes a beautiful picture, as she 
stands in her little flower garden on this lovely day. 
She is dressed in some soft, clinging goods that falls 
in graceful folds, showing every curve in the perfect 
figure. Baby blue is exceedingly becoming to her, 
and the broad ribbon which encircles the slender 
waist seems to add new grace to the figure. There 
are dark shadows around the eyes, that tell of sleep- 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 13 - 

less nights and passionate tears. Her face is pale, 
but she looks very lovely to-day ; so thinks Douglas 
Sinclair, as he sees her standing there under the lilac 
bushes. He takes off his hat and speaks to her, ere 
she is aware of his presence. 

“ Good evening, Miss Silvia ; am I intruding? I 
have something to say to you ; and, finding you alone 
in your little garden, I have taken advantage of the 
opportunity of speaking to you on a subject that is 
very dear to me. Do you not guess what it is, dear?” 
he asks. Then, before she can answer, he goes on : 
‘‘ Silvia, I love you and want you to be my wife. I 
know I am not half worthy of you, my darling ; I 
know you are as high above me as the heavens are 
above the earth ; but I love you, and will try and 
make you happy. To study your happiness will bo 
the one aim of my life. Will you not come, my lover 
and help to cheer my life? Answer me, sweet ; will 
you be my wife?” His voice is full of passion, and 
his face is very pale as he awaits her answer. 

Soft blushes dye her cheeks, and make her a thou- 
sand times fairer than before. Her head is bent 
shyly, and her voice trembles slightly as she answers : 

“You surprise me, Mr. Sinclair. I had never 
dreamed you loved me. I hardly know how to an- 
swer, for it seems impossible that anyone could love 
poor little me. Are you really in earnest?” She 
looks up at him coquettishly as she asks this. She 
has known for a long time that he loved her, but she 


14 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


was a perfect actress, and it behooved her to play 
her part well. 

“ Do I really want you? Oh, my darling, if you 
really knew how I love you ! I love you dearer than 
life. Without you life would be an empty dream.” 

Taking one of her white hands in his, he contin- 
ued : “ I think I loved you from the first hour I saw 
you. Look up, darling, and tell me you will make 
me the happiest man on earth by whispering one lit- 
tle word in my ear.” 

“ What is the word you would have me speak?” she 
asks coyly. 

“ Say, ‘Yes, Douglas, I will be your wife,’ ” he says 
tenderly. She takes one step forward ; then, raising 
her eyes to his for an instant, she murmurs, “ Yes, I 
will be your wife.” He takes her in his arms, and 
kisses her face and eyes. As she whispers the words 
that seal her fate, her face loses all its brilliant color 
and leaves her deathly pale. She realizes then that 
she has indeed given up the one love of her life — for 
from this day she is bound to Douglas Sinclair for 
life. She knows there is no drawing back now; for 
she is the soul of honor, and would rather die than 
break her word. She knows now to even think of 
Elmo Vane is wrong, for she is the promised bride of 
another. She considers an engagement just as bind- 
ing as though they were bound irrevocably by the 
marriage ceremony. 

Would to God others would believe as she did! 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


15 


there would not be so many broken hearts in this 
fair sunny land of ours. There would not be so many 
wrecked lives, and so many lonely men and lonelier 
women. Silvia Carlton was not acting nobly when she 
gave up love for gold, but we can say all honor to her 
for her loyalty to her affianced husband and her word. 

When she entered the house a magnificent diamond 
sparkled on her finger. Her hands were white as 
snow, and very small and beautiful. They were too 
small and tender to have to toil, and, as she gazed on 
them with the blazing ring on the left, she heaved a 
sigh of relief as she thought there would be no more 
hard work. She wondered if she had done wrong in 
throwing away love and accepting gold; and, as she 
thought of the cold, cruel world, with its rebuffs to 
the poor, she shuddered and thanked God she had 
accepted Douglas Sinclair. She wondered what his 
proud mother would say when he told her he was go- 
ing to marry her, and she could not help but smile 
when she thought of the way the aristocratic world 
would pity him for his poor taste. As she thought 
of it her eyes filled with tears, and she thought how 
he must love her to select her from all the gay fash- 
ionable belles of society, as his bride. She felt the 
honor that he had conferred upon her, and appreci- 
ated it, and felt keen regret that she had no love to 
give him ; and she resolved that, although she could 
not love him, she could at least honor and revere him, 
and she would make his life as happy as possible. 


16 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


As she sat there all her past rose before her, and 
as she thought of the old home, far away among the 
hills, and of the loved ones who were in heaven, she 
wept bitter tears, and wondered if she would have 
sold her heart for gold if her mother had lived. She 
thought of that mother who had never complained, 
but had borne her lot patiently and cheerfully, and 
of the happy days they had spent in that happy home 
far away, until the first streaks of the gray dawn 
were visible ; then she threw herself upon her little 
bed and sobbed herself to sleep. Perhaps she would 
have been different if her mother had lived, for she 
had loved her mother more than most daughters love 
mother. She had almost worshiped her. It had 
been so easy to work when she had some one to work 
for ; but now there was no one but herself, and she 
was so tired of it all she wished she were dead and at 
rest under the weeping willow where her mother 
rested. 

Ah, when we lose a mother’s love and counsel w.e 
lose all. So it had been with Silvia Carlton. She 
woke at eight o’clock with a heavy heart and aching 
head. She went for her usual walk, and the wind 
brought a faint tinge of color to her pale face, so that 
when an hour later Douglas Sinclair was announced 
she did not look quite so pale and deathly. He took 
her in his arms and kissed her, and told her how long 
the time had seemed since he left her, until it seemed 
as if he would never release her. She felt as if she 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


17 


must break loose from his encircling arms and fly to 
her room. At last he released her, and she asked : 
“ Have you told your mother of our engagement?” 

“No,” he replied; “I have not had time. I shall 
tell her this evening, and bring her to see you to-mor- 
row, if you will allow me.” 

“ Oh, I shall be glad to see her,” she answered 
quietly. “Do you think she will like me?” 

“ How could she help liking you, my love? She 
would love you for my sake, even if not for your own. 
Have no fears, for she will love you for your own 
sweet sake,” he sajd hurriedly. 

Then, seeing that he was going to return to his 
lover-like phrases, she went up to him and laid one 
white hand on his arm and said : “ No, dear, we have 
had love enough for one day ; and if you wish I will 
sing to you. I think you have never heard me sing. 
What shall it be, a song of love, or war?” She asks 
this with one of her sweetest smil6s, knowing full 
well what his answer will be. 

“ Of, love, dear ; for that is something of which I 
never tire.” He says this a little angrily, for no man 
likes to be told by the woman he loves that she is 
tired of love. 

“ Are you angry with me for saying I was tired of 
love?” she asks innocently. “Is that what causes 
that ugly frown on your face?” As she says this she 
runs her fingers lightly through his dark, curly hair, 
and looks into his eyes as innocently as a little child. 


18 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PEIDE. 


The frown vanishes as if by magic, and he smiles into 
her beautiful face as he answers, “ Who could be 
angry with you, my darling? Go and sing to me of 
love.” 

Crossing the room, she takes up her guitar. She 
commences that plaintive melody that is as old as the 
hills, but is ever sad and sweet — “ Marguerite.” Then 
she sings it slowly and softly. As she sings he sits 
entranced. Never has he heard such a voice before, 
on the stage or off. She throws her whole soul into 
the song. She is not singing to him ; she is singing 
to her lost love, and as she sings the words, 

I know the time will not be long, 

When you^ll forget me Marguerite, 
her voice trembles slightly ; but with an effort she 
remembers to whom she is singing, and as the last 
words leave her lips she turns to him a face com- 
posed and smiling. “ I wonder if you would soon 
forget me if we were to be separated,” she says softly. 

“ Silvia, you know I can never forget you; though 
miles of earth divide us and oceans roll between, I 
should love you just the same. Forget you? never! 
The moon may cease to illuminate the earth, the sun 
may forget to shine, the stars may fall, but my love 
for you will be as strong as now. But why speak of 
this, for we will never be separated? There is noth- 
ing that can separate us,” he replied. 

“Not even the displeasure of your mother?” she 
questioned. And he thought he meant it when he 
answered her passionately : 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


19 


No, not even that. But she will not be displeased,” 
he goes on hurriedly. Then, glancing at his watch, he 
finds that he has barely time to reach home by din- 
ner. She goes with him to the little rustic gate, and 
as he kisses her good-by he thinks there was never a 
woman one-half so beautiful as his brown-eyed dar- 
ling. “Good-night, my love,” he murmurs fondly ; 

I want to find more roses in your cheeks to-morrow 
when I come.” Then, coming back, he takes her white 
hand in his, and says : “ Darling, you have made me 
strangely nervous, talking about separation. Will 
you not grant me one ’request? I want you to place 
your lovely arms around my neck and kiss me, of 
your own free will. Will you not do this for me, dear? 
You have not kissed me once since you promised to 
be my wife.” 

At first her face turns deadly pale ; then the color 
rushes back to her cheeks, and they are the color of 
the rosebuds that nestle so close to her white throat. 
She goes up to him and, laying her white arms around 
his neck, presses one kiss upon his noble forehead. 

“Will that do, Douglas?” she murmurs. This is 
the first time she has called him by his name, and 
she buries her face on his bosom that he may not see 
her eyes, for she knows that there is no love-light 
shining in their depths for him. 

“ My own love, my darling ; you have made me very 
happy.” And, snatching another kiss, he hurries 
home. 


CHAPTER III. 


As Silvia Carlton turns and walks slowly towards 
the house, she hears some one calling her name; and, 
turning, she finds herself face to face with her bosom 
friend and confidant. 

“How do you do, Inez?’’ she says; and, going up 
to her, she kisses her fondly. Then, taking her arm, 
they walk on to the house. “ It seems an age since I 
have seen you, Inez,” she says, as they enter the house. 
“ You shall spend the evening with me, now that you 
are here. We will go up to our room, where we can 
have a quiet time all by ourselves.” 

“ That is just what I want, Silvia ; for I have much 
to say to you,” Inez replies hastily. 

So they go up to the room which Silvia occupies ; 
and, throwing off her wraps, she draws a large, comfort- 
able chair up to the window, sits down, and Silvia 
sits at her feet. Inez Wynter was a perfect blonde. 
Her eyes were just the color of the shy, drooping 
violets. Her hair fell in long, golden curls below her 
shapely waist. She possessed a complexion of daz- 
zling whiteness. Her lips were like twin cherries, 
and when they parted in a smile they revealed two 
rows of pearly teeth. She was one of Dame For- 
tune’s favorites, for she was not only blessed with a 
wealth of beauty, but was one of the wealthiest heir- 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


21 


esses in the State. She was loved by all for her gen- 
tle manner and sweet smile. She and Silvia Carlton 
had been friends from childhood, and as the years 
flew by they only cemented their friendship more 
firmly. They loved each other as sisters. There is 
a look of stern resolution on her face to-night, as she 
looks at Silvia. 

“What is it, Inez?” asks Silvia at length. “You 
look as if you were going to deliver one of those long, 
tiresome lectures of yours.” 

“ I am thinking, dear, of what I have just heard ; 
and I have come to see if it were true. Rumor tells 
many false things.; and I hope for your sake, and 
others, she is wrong in this. Is it true that you are 
engaged to Douglas Sinclair? Are you going to 
marry him?” she asks. 

“ Is that what you are looking so stern about? I 
thought you would be first to congratulate me upon 
my engagement. Yes, I am engaged to Douglas Sin- 
clair, and if the fates are propitious I shall soon have 
the honor of being his bride. Will you not wish me 
joy, dear?” She looks up into her face, as she asks 
this, and smiles. 

“ Wish you joy in a marriage which can bring noth- 
ing but misery? I think not. Silvia, what do you 
mean? What have you done with the honor you 
have boasted of so long?” She pauses, and Silvia 
answers proudl}- : 

“ Inez, I do not understand you. I do not see that 


22 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


I am doing anything dishonorable in marrying Doug- 
las Sinclair? If we love each other, why should the 
marriage not be a happy one?” 

“You do well to say, ‘If we love each other^’ I 
doubt not that Douglas Sinclair loves you with his 
whole heart, for those eyes of yours are enough to 
win a man’s heart from his bosom.” Silvia interrupts 
hurriedly : 

“ I am sure I like him well enough.” 

“Silvia, do not try to deceive me. I have known 
you too long for that, dear. If you love him why 
are you so pale, and what do those dark circles under 
your eyes mean? Love him? No ; you know you do 
not. Shall I tell you whom you love? The whole 
love of your heart is given to Elmo Vane, and you 
know that I speak the truth. Why you have sent 
him from you I do not know, but I do know wherever 
he is he has your heart and love.” 

“ Inez,” begins Silvia ; but Inez does not heed her. 

“ Hush, do not interrupt me ; I have much to say. 
You ask where the dishonor comes in, in becoming 
Douglas Sinclair’s wife? It is this : you are wrong- 
ing him by marrying him,. and you have driven Elmo 
Vane from his home, and perhaps ruined his life; 
and, last, you are crushing your own heart and kill- 
ing all the best part of your nature, for you know 
when a woman crushes her love there is not much 
left to live for.” 

“ Inez, pity me. I see you know me better than I 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


23 


know myself ; but I cannot he a poor man^s wife. I dc 
love Elmo Vane more than my life.” Her voice fal 
ters, and she buries her face in her hands. 

“ I do pity you, or any other woman who is so weak 
as to throw away a noble love and sell her heart for 
gold,” Inez says coldly. “ Silvia, you cannot be true 
to your womanhood and do this thing. You will re- 
gret it, my dear, to the last day of your life. Ah, 
my friend, you do not know what it is to live a love- 
less life.” 

“It is too late now, Inez; I have promised, and I 
would die before I would break my word,” Silvia 
says slowly. 

“ Dear, it is better to break your word than to break 
three hearts,” replies Inez quickly. “ Silvia, I am 
going to tell you something that I have never breathed 
to a living soul. I am going to tell you the story of 
my life. Ah! that interests you. You did not think 
I had a story, did you? Many of us wear smiles up- 
on our lips and are gay, when our hearts are torn and 
bleeding. Two years ago I spent the summer with 
an aunt of mine in the southern part of the State, 
and while there I met Cecil Thorne. Ah, he was as 
handsome as a Greek god. He was as fascinating as 
he was handsome. The first moment our eyes met I 
knew I had met my fate. That summer was the hap- 
piest of my life. We* took long rambles through 
shady woods. He would lie at my feet and read to 
me from some favorite author, and the happy days 


24 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


flew by on golden wings ; and one fair day — shall I 
ever forget it — as we were standing under the tall 
lilac bushes Le told me of his love, and asked me to 
be his wife. I think that must have been the sweet- 
est hour of my life.” She pauses, and there is a 
dreamy light in the violet eyes as if she were going 
through the scene again. Then she continues : “ He 

slipped the engagement ring upon my finger, and 
sealed our bethrothal with a kiss. That was the 
first time the lips of man had kissed my lips, and it 
is the last. The time came for me to return home. 
He was to follow in a few days, to gain my father’s 
consent to our marriage. I went home, and the night 
of his arrival I was very particular what I wore ; for I 
wanted to look as fair as possible in his eyes. I at last 
selected a delicate mull trimnjed in ribbons and lace . 
I wore a great bunch of cream roses at my throat and 
in my hair. That is why I can not bear roses. Their 
faint perfume brings that scene so vividly back that 
if I go in a room where they are I leave if possible, 
for I grow faint with the memory of that night. But 
I am wandering. He came, and oh, my God! the 
pity of it. He came reeling into my presence intoxicated . 
The bitter pain of that hour, when I found my idol 
clay, will go with me through life. I sent him from 
me in anger. I went to my room and knelt and tried 
to pray, but the words refused to come. I thought 
once I was going mad, the pain was so great. How 
that night passed I shall never know, but at last the 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


25 


sun shone through the curtains, and I knew that an- 
other day had dawned. I sent for him to come to 
me. He came, and on bended knees he implored me 
to pardon him, and he would never touch the accursed 
stuff again. But I was firm. I bade him rise from 
his knees, and to kneel to none save his God. I told 
him that our engagement was over — that I could not 
marry a man I could not trust. He pleaded so elo- 
quently that I relented, but I told him that he must 
go from my presence for three years ; and if by that 
time he had conquered the foe of intemperance, then 
he could come to me and I would be his wife ; but 
that I would suffer ten thousand deaths ere I would 
marry a man that could so far forget his manhood as 
to stoop to the degrading level of a drunkard, for in 
my eyes there is nothing lower than drunkenness. 
He promised to go, and swore to me, with his hands 
clasping mine, that he would never take another drink. 
He decided to spend the three years in travel. I had 
forbidden him even to write to me in that time. We 
parted with aching hearts, and the ship he sailed in 
was lost at sea^ and all on hoard perished. When the 
news came to me I fainted, and for days and weeks I 
lay between life and death. How earnestly I prayed 
for death only God knows. But life gained the vic- 
tory. He knew best, and my life was spared for some 
purpose. What it was I do not know. I try to do 
my duty, and bear my cross as best I can. All the 
time my heart is crying out for my lost love. I know 


26 LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

if it had not been for me he would not have gone on 
that fatal trip, and still I could not have acted oth- 
erwise. Now you know, my dear, why I do not want 
you to ruin your life; for when the love is gone out 
of our lives there is no happiness left. Now you 
know why I want you to be true to .your love. Ask 
Douglas Sinclair for your freedom, and marry Elmo 
Vane. As your heart bids you, do. My dear, I am 
only twenty-two, but I feel old, even now. When I 
think of the long life before me I almost give up, for 
the time seems so long. Will you not take warning 
from me, and be true to your love?” she asks plead- 
ingly. 

Silvia’s face is very pale, and the proud mouth is 
grieving pitifully, but there is a steady light in the 
brown eyes as she answers : “ It is too late now. The 
die has been cast, and I shall marry Douglas Sinclair. 
Even if I had not promised, Elmo Vane is gone, and 
I can only hope I have not blighted his noble life. 
It makes little difference if I am not happy. Oh, 
Inez, how sorry I am for you, dear. I wish I could 
comfort you in some way. Is there nothing I can do 
for you, Inez?” 

“ Yes,” she replied, ‘‘you can be true to yourself and 
your love, and make me happier by letting me know 
that the friend that I love as a sister has not stooped 
so low as to marry for gold and not for love.” 

“ I cannot, Inez,” she whispers. “ I cannot break 
my word.” As she ceases speaking there is a violent 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


27 


ring at the door. A letter is brought to Silvia. As 
she breaks the seal she sees Douglas Sinclair’s mon- 
ogram, and she wonders what he can have to say to 
her. She opens the envelope and reads, and as she 
reads all the color recedes from her face, and she 
bites her lips till a bright red drop of blood falls on 
the letter. The brown eyes are black with passion, 
for this is what she reads : 

My Dear Silvia : — I dare not .come into your presence, 
for ! know I could not look into your eyes and tell you what 
I must. I know how proud you are, and I know how your 
pride will be crushed when you have read this. I know you 
will hate me with a hate that will last forever ; but, my dar- 
ling, if you knew how my heart was breaking, and that I am 
giving up my very life, you would pity me even more than 
you hate me. I know I am acting a cowardly part, but you 
know I love my mother so dearly, and I — I cannot help it— I 
think I fear her too. I told her of our engagement, and she 
told me if I married you she would disown me from that day 
on — that she would never speak to me again. And, looking 
into her face and seeing the lines of care, and at the proud 
head and seeing the gray hair so thickly strewn with the 
black, I could not help but obey her in this as I have done in 
all other things. There is only one hope for me, and that is 
that you will refuse to release me. Will you not pity me 
rather than hate me? Good-by, my darling, and may God 
bless you. Oh, my love, it is like the bitterness of death to 
give you up. Will you not give me just one kind word of 
farewell, in memory of the love that was? 

Douglas Sinclair. 

She read it through twice ; then, handing the letter 
to Inez, she rose and began walking rapidly up and 


28 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


down the floor. So this was the end of it all. Was 
woman ever so grossly insulted before? How she 
hated him. She walked up to Inez and, stopping be- 
fore her, says bitterly : 

“ So it is not left for me to break my word. He 
has taken the advice of his worldly mother, and de- 
cided for me. Ah, well, perhaps it is best. Inez, 
will you leave me now? I want to be alone, so that I 
may think.’’ 

“ Silvia, do not look that way, dear. Let me stay 
with you and help you,” Inez pleaded. 

“ I wonder if he knows what I have given up for 
him? And he asks me not to hate him. It is a just 
punishment, I suppose, for my wickedness in wor- 
shiping mammon.” She speaks bitterly. “ I think 
all that is good in me is dead, for I long only for 
revenge.” Inez talked to her in her low, sweet voice 
till she became calm; then she persuaded her .to lie 
down. She bathed her hot head till at last she fell 
asleep. 

When she awoke the next morning she was calmer, 
but there was no pity for Douglas Sinclair. Her 
pride had been too bitterly crushed for that ; and, as 
she seated herself at her writing desk, the eyes that 
had been so soft and tender were black with passion 
and anger. She wrote rapidly : 

Mr. Sinclair: — I hasten to relieve your suspense, for I 
know you must be in suspense for fear I will not release you. 
You must indeed hold yourself in high esteem to think that I 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


29 


would not release you after reading your noble letter( f). You 
ask me to pity you. I do, most sincerely. I pity anything 
that is as contemptibly weak as you are. Hoping you will 
pardon my presumption in writing such a lengthy epistle, 
I remain your humble servant, . Silvia Carlton. 

She knows that each cruel word will pain him, for 
she knows he loves her. She wanted him to suffer. 
He had wounded her beyond pardon. We will leave 
her now, hoping she will forget her wrongs and live 
a nobler life. 


CHAPTER IV. 


In the far West, away up in the mountains in the- 
roughest part of the country, where the wild roses 
bloom in great profusion and the coyotes howl 
mournfully, there are several lonely huts that are in- 
habited by the miners in the District. One lone path 
leads up a steep ravine, and as you reach the sum-^ 
mit you find a rude log cabin built of rough, unhewn 
timber. There we find Elmo Vane. He is pale and 
haggard, but in the steady blue eyes there shines a 
firm, determined look, that shows that he means to 
bear life as a strong man should. He knows that 
for him all dreams of love are over, and that all 
women will be as shadows to him from now on, and 
that he will go down to his grave unwedded and un- 
loved. 'No, not unloved ; for he knows Silvia Carlton 
loves him with all her heart. As he thinks of what 
might have been he sighs heavily, and a sad look 
creeps into the clear blue eyes. As he thinks of the 
lonely future he shudders. He clinches his handa 
so tightly together that the nails sink deep into the 
tender flesh. He rises and walks the floor hurriedly,, 
and as he does so he at last grows calmer, and taking 
his hat he walks slowly down the lonely path. The 
only way he can retain his reason is to fly from 
thought, and he knows that can only be done by hard 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


31 


work. He walks on till he reaches a little hut, occu- 
pied by a man of peculiar habits. He taps lightly 
on the rude door. The door is slowly opened by a 
man as handsome as a god. His eyes are the main 
attraction. They are of that deep, dark brown, of 
which poets rave. His lips were rather proud; in 
fact, his whole bearing bespoke pride, and yet there 
was an air of gentleness about him that won friends 
for him wherever he went. The rough miners wor- 
shipped him, nearly. He had been there two years, 
and no one knew anymore about him then than they 
did when he first came among them. If any one was 
in trouble, they knew where they could find help. 
If sickness was in their midst he was the gentle nurse 
who stood by the bed and spoke words of cheer, and 
smoothed the pillow or bathed the fevered brow as ten- 
derly as a woman. It was no wonder Elmo Vane 
went to. him for comfort, when he found his own 
thoughts too sad. As he entered the hut he was 
greeted kindly by the master. 

“ I am glad you have come,” he said slowly. “ I 
was just thinking of you.” 

“Were you? Then I am not intruding. I was 
afraid I had disturbed you, but I am as weak as a 
woman to-day, and I felt as though I had had enough 
of my own company, and thought perhaps you could 
help me to dispel some of my gloomy thoughts by 
one of your cheerful stories.” 

“ That’s right, my boy ; I am glad you came. Do 


32 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


you know what I am going to do? Not tell you a 
story, but get you to tell me why you are so lonely, 
and why you left the society in which you had been 
a member to come to the far west and live the life 
you are compelled to live here,^’ answered Carlos. 

“You would laugh at my weakness if 1 told you, 
Carlos,’’ answered Elmo Vane. 

“ Laugh? no; I never do that,” said he seriously. 

“ Then listen, and I will tell you my story. It is a 
very short and sad one; at least, sad to me. My 
father was very wealthy. I was the only child, and 
had been raised in the lap of luxury all my life. 
There came into the town a widow, and her daughter 
Silvia Carlton. She and I played together when 
children, and as we grew into manhood and woman- 
hood I realized that I loved her more than life, and 
that the one aim in life was to win her for my wife ; 
but my father had lost all his vast fortune and the 
shock had killed him. I went to her and told her of 
my love for her, and asked her to be my wife. I told 
her I would go west and work until I could build up 
our lost fortunes once more, and we would be happy 
in each other’s love. What was my surprise when 
the girl I had loved so devotedly turned to me with 
tears in her eyes, and told me she could not be a 
poor man’s wife.” He bowed his head upon his 
hands and was silent. Carlos went up to him and 
laid one hand caressingly on his bowed head. “ Poor 
boy ; how you have suffered,” he said. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


33 


Suffered — ah, you do not know. I pleaded for her 
love as only a proud man can plead for the hand of 
the woman he loves. 1 implored her on bended knees 
to be my wife, or at least wait till I had made a for- 
tune. But she was firm. She could not bear poverty, 
and it would be better for us to part. Then I became 
angry and called her a heartless flirt, told her she 
did not love me.” He paused as if overcome. 

“ Did she really love you?” queried Carlos. 

“ Love me? Ah, if you could have seen the love- 
light in her eyes, and heard the little cry she gave 
when I called her heartless, you would not doubt her 
love. I think that made it harder to bear. I think 
she was more to be pitied than I, for she had put 
love and happiness away because she dared not face 
poverty.” 

‘•Why not write to her once more and ask her to 
wait for you? Perhaps by now she knows how hard 
it is to live without love, and would be willing to 
share your poverty with you,” said Carlos. 

“ No, I shall never do that,” Elmo Vane replies 
proudly. “I have a little pride left. I humbled my- 
self to her as I never shall again. Love can nev^r con- 
quer pride.^' He raised his head proudly. “ No, much 
as I love her, if I knew by making one more attempt, 
I could not do it; for my love has been rejected by 
her, and now all my pride has come forward. I 
would see the last drop of my life’s blood flow ere I 
would again plead for her love.” 


34 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


“ Ah, Elmo, do not let pride come between you and 
your love. My boy, take my advice and trample 
pride under foot, and let love triumph as it should do. 
You may think now that ‘pride is stronger than love,’ 
but the day will surely come when you will wish you 
had heeded my warning.” He places his arm around 
Elmo’s neck and speaks tenderly. “ Elmo, pride has 
wrecked many lives ; do not let it ruin yours. Ah, 
that little word ‘pride.’ How many lives it has 
marred ! I thank God I have not the same ideas 
you have. I am proud, but listen. If I loved a 
woman I would not let pride come between me and 
my love. If by kneeling at her feet and even begging 
for her love, I could win her, I would willingly do it. 
Pride is strong, but love is infinitely stronger. Love, 
ah, that word touches every fibre of the human heart, 
and causes them to vibrate with feelings that words 
are inadequate to express. You know nothing of 
love if you think pride is stronger. Your pride must 
indeed be strong, or your love very weak.” In his 
excitement he has risen, and he stands like some 
king, with his head thrown back so proudly. There 
is a tqjider light in the soft brown eyes. He has for- 
gotten where he is. He is thinking of the fair, gold- 
en-haired, blue-eyed woman whom he loved more 
than life, but who, by his own mad folly, he had lost. 
Not by pride, no ; if that were all he would have 
knelt at her feet long ago ; but no, that was not it. 
It was something infinitely worse. He had been 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


35 


wholly to blame. The bitterest pain is that which 
we bring upon ourselves. If he had not taken his 
first drink of the sparkling wine^ handed to him by the 
fair hands of a woman ! but no, he had taken that first 
drink as it foamed and sparkled in the jeweled cup, 
and had been its slave from that day until it had lost, 
for him, his heart’s desire. 

Oh, if the young ladies would only do their duty 
and not tempt young men by offering — nay, drinking 
with them — the cursed stuff, there would be more sober, 
honest men, and fewer drunkards’ graves for the brok- 
en-hearted wives and mothers to weep over ! When 
mothers and sisters, wives and sweethearts pass the 
wine and have it on their tables for the young men, 
how can they expect them to be anything but drunk- 
ards? Oh God ! when will this evil cease to exist? 

Carlos’ mind comes back from dreamland, as he 
hears Elmo Vane speak. “ My love weak? Ah, it is 
as broad as the ocean, and as deep. I cannot tell you 
how much I love her, for words are weak ; but as you 
say, my pride is indeed strong.” He rose to go as he 
spoke. “ Good-by, old fellow. I thank you for your 
kind sympathy and patience in listening to me. This 
is the first time I have given up to such weakness, 
and it shall be the last,” he says slowly. 

“Good by, Elmo; I wish I could help you. May 
God bless you,” says Carlos gently, as he presses El- 
mo’s hand at parting. Elmo Vane goes home, and 
tries bravely to forget Silvia Carlton and think only 
3 


36 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


of his work. How he will succeed only the future can 
prove. 

^ ^ 

The bright, beautiful summer had gone, and noth- 
ing of it remained but a memory. To some it had 
been a summer of perfect happiness ; to others, pain 
and agony. The months have flown by on leaden 
wings since we left Silvia Carlton with her heart cry- 
ing out for revenge. There is going to be a grand 
supper at Mrs. Stewart’s to-night, and all the select 
four hundred will be there. After the elegant supper 
has been served they are to go to the opera ; for, to- 
night, a star has risen, and will sing to an American 
audience for the first time. Mabelle Angeline, she 
calls herself. 

Among the guests of Mrs. Stewart’s are Douglas 
Sinclair and his proud mother. There is very little 
change in Douglas. The gray eyes have a sad, dreamy 
expression, and he seems graver, if possible, than 
when he bade Silvia Carlton good-by, down by the 
little rustic gate, so many months ago. He is the 
same devoted son. And if he blames his mother for 
his unhappiness, he does not .say he does ; and she 
thinks he has forgotten Silvia Carlton. She never 
dreams that that is what causes the shade of melan- 
choly to be always about him, and the sad look in 
the gray eyes. He is interested in the singer to- 
night, and is glad when dinner is over and they are 
seated in the handsome carriage, which conveys them 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 37 

rapidly to the theatre. He is very popular, and, as 
he enters the box, many envious eyes are cast upon 
him. The opera, to-night, is the old, old story of a 
lover’s falseness and a woman’s constancy ; and, as 
the curtain rises, there is a slight murmur. As the 
audience gazes around carelessly, they see coming 
forward, a tall, queenly figure, clad in robes of the 
palest blue silk, with a great bunch of red roses 
pinned in the bodice of her dress, and one beautiful 
bud twined in the braids of her hair ; for she has a 
woman’s crowning glory, a wealth of golden brown 
hair. Her chief attraction is her eyes. To-night 
they are black as midnight. As she takes a step for 
ward, as if to speak, the crowd, as if moved by one 
impulse, begin such a storm of applause that makes 
the old walls ring. A bright blush mounts the fair 
face of Mabelle Angeline ; and, as the noise dies^away 
she steps forward, takes her guitar on her arm, and 
begins a soft, sweet air, that thrills the hearts of her 
listeners. She pauses one moment; then she begins 
to sing. Her voice, how low and soft, like the mur- 
mur of the rippling brook; then rising loud, sweet 
and clear as the chimes of silvery bells. She has a 
voice of such wonderful strength and sweetness that 
the audience is held spell-bound. She sings as one 
inspired, and as she grows accustomed to the crowd 
she forgets self and gives full vent to the magnificent 
voice. She does not glance at the audience now ; her 
head is thrown back proudly, and she sings on until 


38' LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

the last note is finished, and then she turns and 
walks, or rather glides, off the stage with the grace of 
an empress. There was perfect quiet for a second, 
then the walls echoed and re-echoed with the shouts 
and cries of “ Mabelle Angeline — one more song!” 
which could be heard from all over the house. The 
manager went into the room and asked her to favor 
them with just one more song. At first she refused; 
then, seeing the disappointed look on his kind face^ 
she consented. As she once more appeared the sound 
of applause was begun, but she raised her white, 
shapely hand as if to command silence ; then sang 
that simple old ballad which never fails to touch the 
heart, “ Home, Sweet Home.” As she sang the last 
lines, ladies held their handkerchiefs to their eyes ; 
and men, who had not wept for years, wept then, as 
they thought of the old home of the long ago. They 
encored again, but the manager stepped forward and, 
in a few well chosen words, told them she would not 
sing again, as she was tired. 

Douglas Sinclair’s face was pale as death when he 
had first seen her, and he wondered where he had 
seen that beautiful face and heard that voice before. 
He felt that he must see her and know her ; so, when 
he received an invitation to a grand ball the next 
evening, and knew she was to be one of the guests, he 
accepted eagerly. 

We will follow the young singer home. When she 
Leaches her room all her beautiful color has vanished. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


39 


and even her lips are pale as death. All the passion 
and excitement have died out of her eyes, and their 
brown depths are filled with pain and sadness. She 
throws off her silken robes wearily, and slips into a 
rich cream dressing gown ; and, unbraiding her 
masses of golden-brown hair, she lets it fall, in a 
shadowy vail, over her white shoulders. She walks 
slowly to the large window, and, parting the curtains, 
gazes out into the moonlit night. She is thinking 
over her past life and wondering if it is really Silvia 
Carlton who owns this beautiful home, and is sur- 
rounded by every comfort and luxury — Silvia Carl- 
ton, the poor music teacher, who had given up her 
love for paltry gold, and then been so grossly insulted 
by the man she had thought so noble. She had seen 
Douglas Sinclair in the crowd to-night, and at first 
she had grown faint and ill ; but when she saw his 
proud mother by his side, pride had come to the res- 
cue, and she had sung on as calmly and sweetly as 
before. 

She had seen the look of admiration on his hand- 
some face, and had smiled scornfully as she thought 
how weak he was. She wondered if he had forgotten 
her, and if not, if he still loved her. Bah ! such love 
as his was not worthy the name. She clasped her 
hands tightly together, and murmured: “I wonder 
xwhere he is to-night? I have wealth and fame now, 
and I have found it an empty dream, as he said I 
would. Oh, Elmo, if I only could see your dear face 


40 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


jiice more, and look into those dear blue eyes and 
read there the love I once read ! 

How unwomanly he must have thought me. I have 
learned my lesson, now that it is too late. I can say 
that love is better than wealth or fame. God bless 
him wherever he may be, and may he be happy.’’ 
She takes the little locket she wears from around her 
neck, and, opening it, she rains passionate kisses on 
the pictured face. She realizes now that love is 
stronger than death, and that she will never be hap- 
py again ; for, although she has tried to drown her 
sorrows and love in the gay whirlpool of society, she 
finds she has not succeeded, and that every day her 
love grows stronger. 

“Just one year ago since we parted; and if one 
year has been so long, how am I to spend a life time 
without him? I wish I could lay my weary head up- 
on my pillow, and fall asleep and wake up in heaven. 
Why should I murmur, though? for the cup of hap- 
piness was held to my lips, and I, with my own hand, 
dashed it from me. I think I must have been mad 
to give up his love for paltry gold. Oh, dear, I sent 
you from me because you were poor; but, since 
Douglas Sinclair taught me that bitter lesson long 
ago, and I found that gold could not fill the empty 
heart, I have sent wealth from me and refused to 
marry for wealth. I wonder if he would come to me 
if he knew I was iree. No, I know he would not ; for 
he is so proud, and he holds that ‘ love can never 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


41 


conquer pride.’ I wonder where all my pride is? for 
I feel if I could only see him, I would kneel at his 
feet and ask him to forgive me. I thank Douglas 
Sinclair for his cruelty now, for I can truthfully say 
I have been true to my love, and do not hold wealth 
above love. True, I had to be taught the lesson, and 
had my pride humbled very low ; but the lesson was 
well worth the humiliation, and I would not take 
worlds for my experience. Ah, if I had my past to 
live over, I would act so differently. I would be true 
to my blue-eyed lover ; I would go with him to his 
lonely, western home, and help to build a home where 
nothing but happiness could come. But that is all 
over now ; I had my choice and I chose gold, and I 
must bear my burden as best I can, for no one is to 
blame except myself. I was so cruelly selfish that I 
can never hope to be forgiven by him. I have never 
been anything but selfish all my life. It is too late 
now to think of what might have been. So, if I ex- 
pect to get any sleep to-night, I had best seek 
my downy couch. No more sentiment for me ; I 
. must be the cold, proud woman of the world — the 
Woman without a heart, as the world calls me.” 

Proud woman, without a heart, as she calls herself ! 
she throws herself wearily on her tiny bed, and bit- 
ter, passionate tears water the pillow. Ah, how lit- 
tle the gay world knows of the suffering of its fellow 
beings ! No one in that vast assembly dreamed that 
Mabelle Angeline’s smiling face hid an aching heart 


J 


42 LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

Sometimes the brightest smiles hide the heaviest 
heart. Cynics may scoff at love and broken hearts 
as much as they like, but if we could tear off the mask 
and see deep down in the hidden recesses of their 
hearts, we would find many wounds of which the 
world is oblivious. Ah, how many, many times a 
careless word tears open a wound, and causes it to 
bleed anew. If we knew how often our careless 
words wounded, we would be more careful how we 
uttered thenf. 

The next day dawns clear and bright, and it seems 
as if the birds are having a perfect feast this beauti- 
ful day. They sing as if they would burst their little 
throats this clear, sunshiny day. They know noth- 
ing of sorrows and heartache, so they can sing blithely 
at all times. When Mabelle Angeline wakes she goes 
to the window, and, opening it, is greeted by the songs 
of the little feathered songsters. And she is standing 
there listening, when the servant comes to the door and 
gives her a magnificent boquet of rare red roses, her 
favorite flowers. She takes them from him and bur- 
ies her flower-like face among their dewy petals, that 
she may inhale their sweet perfume. As she does so . 
a card falls at her feet and, stooping to pick it up, 
her eyes fall upon the name — in the bold writing 
she knows so well — of Douglas Sinclair. The pretty 
rosebuds drop to the floor as if they were poisoned. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


4a 


She pointed to them and told the servant to return 
them to the gentleman, and tell him she received 
flowers from no one. 

Her sweet face is flushed angrily, and the soft 
brown eyes are sparkling. Her tiny foot stamps the 
floor. “ How dare he send me flowers?’’ then, remem- 
bering they were to Mabelle Angeline, not Silvia 
Carlton, she becomes calmer, and the angry flush dies- 
out. She wonders what he would do if he knew they 
were the same. 

* ¥; ^ ^ ^ ^ 

Douglas Sinclair is up with the lark the morning 
after the opera. He is all impatience for evening to 
come, when he shall meet this fair singer who is so 
like, yet so different from his lost love. He sends 
the handsome rosebuds, and when they are returned 
to him the color mounts his handsome face, and he 
is glad to think she would not receive flowers from a 
stranger. He is a little piqued because of their re- 
turn, too ; for he is used to having his own way. To 
have his flowers returned is a somewhat novel affair. 
He, with his mother, called on several friends that 
afternoon, and at every place he heard the praisea 
of Mabelle Angeline. She was going to be at Mrs. 
De Vere’s at the ball. 

They called on Marah Champion, an old friend of 
theirs. Her mother and Mrs. Sinclair had been 
school girls together, and now that she was dead Mrs. 
Sinclair loved her daughter for her own sake, and for 


44 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


the sake of her old schoolmate and friend. She, too, 
talked about the singer, and also mentioned that 
there would be present at the ball a nobleman who 
was visiting in the city — Lord Englehart, of England. 
She spoke very highly of him. Marah Champion 
was a very beautiful girl, with her golden hair, fair 
skin and violet eyes. She looked like one of her 
much loved roses. They called her “Queen of the 
ball room;” for wherever she was, there you found a 
crowd of admirers. Mrs. Sinclair’s greatest ambition 
was that Douglas and Marah should fall in love and 
marry. 

Marah had loved him ever since she was a tiny 
child, and had gone with her mother to spend the 
summer with Mrs. Sinclair. She was proud, though, 
and none suspected her love for him. No one knew 
why she rejected all the suitors who pleaded so 
earnestly for her love. She would wait, and may be 
he would learn to love her. As long as she had no 
rival, she could hope; but if she had a rival, she 
would not hope any longer, and would give up ever 
winning his love. She talked gayly of the ball, and 
of Mabelle Angeline, watching Douglas intently all 
the while ; and as she saw how deeply interested he 
was in her, and how his face lit up when her name 
was mentioned, her fair, flower-like face turned pale, 
and even the beautiful lips turned white. The clear 
laugh rang out as often as before, and she talked as 
gayly about the ball as if her heart were not slowly 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


45 


breaking. When they had bidden her good-by they 
thought her very charming, and went, little dream- 
ing how quickly the bright smile vanished, and how 
the proud lips quivered with pain when she was alone 
in-her own room. 


CHAPTER V. 


When Miss Champion was ushered in the ball room 
that night many admiring eyes were cast on her. 
She was dressed very beautifully and becomingly^ 
in a delicate pink silk embroidered with flowers. 
Diamonds sparkled in her golden hair and on 
her white arms. Never was she gayer than on 
this evening. ^ She laughed, talked, and was the mer- 
riest one in the crowded room. She was talking 
gayly to Douglas Sinclair, when she found that he- 
had lost all interest in the subject, and saw hi& 
eyes following some one who had just entered. 
Turning to see who it was, she saw a woman so beau- 
tiful that she held her breath as she gazed on her 
beauty. She was no longer the most beautiful wom- 
an there, for her beauty was dim by the side of this 
fair woman who had just entered, and was talking so 
earnestly to the hostess. It was Mabelle Angeline^ 
and she had never looked so beautiful as to-night. 
Her elegant dress was one marvel of beauty. It wa& 
made of rich, cream velvet, cut the least bit low in 
the back and front, and her white neck was shown to 
the best advantage. She wore a bunch of great, red 
roses at her throat, and a few of the buds were 
twined in the mass of golden-brown hair, which was 
coiled low on the beautiful neck. She wore no jew- 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


47 


els. Indeed, thf^y would have looked out of place 
with her simple costume. No rings glittered on her 
slender, tapering fingers. Her hands were white as 
snowflakes, and were beautifully molded. They were 
like sculptured marble. She was telling Mrs. De Vere 
why she had not come sooner, and she added lightly : 

“You must not scold this time; I’ll do better 
next.” 

“ My dear, I am glad to get you at any time. 
You have made my ball a success by coming. Every 
one wishes to meet Mabelle Angeline. Do you know 
you have become quite the rage?” said Mrs. DeVere 
seriously. 

“Have I?” she replied; and a slight tinge of bitter- 
ness crept into the sweet, clear voice, as she thought 
of the price she had paid for her popularity — the cost 
of her love, of which nothing remained save an ach- 
ing heart. Well, she had her heart’s desire; she 
wanted to belong to the “charmed circle,” and it had 
been granted her, and she must accept what pleas- 
ures it could give without a murmur ; for she had 
chosen her own path in life, and she alone was to 
blame if the way was thorny and lonely. She was 
laughing at some remark made by Mrs. De Vere, 
when she saw the tall , form of Douglas Sinclair ap- 
proaching. She had often wondered how and where 
they would meet, and what he would say to her. She 
had prepared herself for the meeting. 

She raised her shapely head proudly, and a hard. 


48 LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE., 

cruel look came into the soft brown eyes, as Mrs. 
De Vere introduced them. She told Douglas to take 
Mabelle Angeline into the conservatory, and show 
her the roses which she had promised to show her. 
After she had admired the flowers he found a cosy 
seat in one corner of the “bower of flowers,” and per- 
suaded her not to go back to the crowded ball room, 
but to sit there and rest. He watched her intently. 
Why did the fair, sweet face of Silvia Carlton rise 
before him when he was with this fair woman, the 
“ Queen of song,” as she was called? Why did the 
old pain come back when he looked into Mabelle An- 
geline’s lovely face? Ah, what might have been if he 
had not been so contemptibly weak ! He was called 
back from dreamland by the sweet, clear voice of 
Mabelle Angeline, asking who the beautiful woman 
was who had passed them. 

“ That was Marah Champion, the ‘ Queen of the 
ball room,’ as she is called. We have two queens 
with us to-night ; both are so different, too. One is 
the ‘queen of song,’ and the other, ‘queen of the ball 
room.’ One wears the white roses, the other the 
stately red rose-buds. Both queens have many sub- 
jects. I am afraid we will have the ‘war of roses’ 
over again, Mabelle Angeline. Do you know the 
sweet, fragrant rose is my favorite flower?” he an- 
swered half laughingly, half seriously. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


49 


“ Roses are very sweet ; but, you know all their 
beauty and sweetness only hide the cruel thorns,” 
she replied slowly. 

“ Yes, but we can bear the few thorns for the sake 
of the bud. Roses are like our happy dreams. You 
know the sweetest dreams in life have the most cruel 
thorns,” he said. 

“ Have you found it so? Surely, you, the only son 
of a loving mother, with nothing but happiness all 
your life, can know nothing of the cruel thorns. You 
have had all roses without thorns?” she questions. 

“ Have I? No, the sweetest dream of my life was 
not realized. I have many thorns in my roses.” 
There was a touch of sadness in the voice ; a tender, 
far-away look, has crept into the clear, gray eyes. 

“ Perhaps it is best for us, sometimes, that the 
sweet dreams are not allowed to last. Fate deals us 
many treacherous blows that, at the time, seem cruel 
as the grave; but as time rolls on we find that it 
was best so, that it was for our own good,” she said. 

“ My dream could have been realized, but I acted 
a cowardly part, and, in a weak moment, when I 
should have been strong, I lost all,” he answered. 

‘‘You act cowardly? That seems impossible,” she 
replied hastily. And at first he thought she spoke 
sarcastically, but when he looked at her she was so 
innocent looking that he thought he must have been 
mistaken. 

“ Pardon me,” he said at length. “ I came to en- 


so LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

tertain you, and have bored you by speaking of my- 
self. I do not often speak thus, but you are so much 
like one I knew long ago that it called up visions of 
the past, and I could not help talking about it.^’ 
Before he could finish Mrs. DeVere came up to 
them, and, laying her hand” on Mabelle Angeline’s 
arm, said : “ Douglas, if you could see the black looks 
of Mabelle Angeline’s subjects you would flee for 
your life, for you have completely monopolized her 
for the last hour. Mabelle Angeline, there is a friend 
of mine who is most anxious to meet the beautiful 
^ queen of song.’ Will you come with me and be in- 
troduced?” 

Certainly I will go.” Then giving Douglas a 
bright smile, she goes with Mrs. De Vere. She has 
not asked who she is to meet, and when they pause 
before Douglas Sinclair’s proud mother, her face 
turns a littte pale, and for a minute she almost loses 
her presence of mind ; but, when she remembers Sil- 
via Carlton’s wrongs, she regains her complacence 
and bows to Mrs. Sinclair as if, indeed, she were a 
queen bowing to one of her subjects. She knew that 
this proud woman had kept Douglas from making 
her his wife ; but she knew now that she would be 
glad for him to win the “ queen of song,” and make 
her his wife. And when Mrs. Sinclairt alked to her, 
and called her “my dear” so sweetly, a sneering smile 
played round Mabelle Angeline’s beautiful, proud 
mouth. They talked about the ball and other society 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


51 


events ; then a partner came and carried Mabelle An- 
geline away. She was belle of the evening. 

Lord Englehart was perfectly infatuated with her. 
He, who had passed through so many London sea- 
sons, and had seen so many lovely women, and still 
remained “ heart whole and fancy free,’’ had at last 
succumbed to the charms of this tall, queenly woman, 
with the soft dreamy eyes. He knew that people 
were laughing at him for his infatuation, but he did 
not care. He knew that life had changed, and that 
the great aim in life was to make this beautiful 
woman his wife. 

He and Douglas Sinclair w-ere both standing there 
ready to escort her to her carriage. They glanced at 
each other with hatred in their eyes, each determined 
to fight to the last for Mabelle Angeline. Each 
stepped forward to assist her into the carriage ; but, 
with woman’s tact, she motions for the footman to 
lift her in, and so neither could boast of being the 
favored one. 

The society papers were full of paragraphs about 
the ball and the ‘‘ queen of song.” They spoke of the 
handsome dress she had worn, and of the wonderful 
beauty of the wearer — how like a queen in truth she 
had carried her regal figure, and what a success she 
was wherever she went. 

* * * ^ * ^ * 

Two weeks have passed since the grand ball had 
been given. Lord Englehart had been Silvia’s shadow 
( 4 ) 


52 LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

ever since. He had asked her to be his wife — to go 
back with him to his home across the deep. She had 
been very gentle and firm in her answer, as she told 
him she could never be his wife ; for she did not love 
him, and no true woman would marry without love. 
She knew that his rent roll was twenty thousand a 
year, and that as his wife she would be a leader of 
society ; but that had no temptation for her. For, 
though she knew her love was lost, she had vowed to 
remain true to him, and if he never came back she 
would remain unwedded. 

She is thinking over all this, this morning, when 
Douglas Sinclair is announced. She looks very fair 
and lovely to-day. She is robed in a black dress of 
some soft goods which hangs gracefully over the per- 
fect figure. The sleeves come just below the white 
dimpled elbow, and show the white arm and hand to 
the best advantage. She is sitting in a great rocking 
chair of gold and blue, and the colors all combined 
throw a soft light on the fair face and form. He 
thinks she is the fairest woman the ‘‘ sun e’er shone 
on,” as he gazes at her. They talk of Lord Engle- 
hart’s departure, and when tired of the subject he 
asks her to sing. She remembers that time long ago 
when she had sung for him, and wonders if he has 
forgotten it. She takes her guitar and plays some 
gay, French song; then the white fingers touch the 
chords lightly, and she begins that plaintive melody 
she had sung long ago — “ Marguerite ” — and as she 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


53 


sings she knows he has not forgotten ; for his face is 
white and drawn with pain, and his hands tremble 
so that the book he has been looking through falls to 
the floor. One little spark of pity stirs in her heart 
for him for an instant ; then dies as suddenly, as she 
remembers how terribly she suffered. Turning to 
him with one of her brightest smiles, she asks gayly : 

“Do you like that? The words are so sad and 
sweet — 

I know the time will not be long 
When you^ll forget me, Marguerite. 

I wonder if all lovers forget?” she goes on mockingly. 

“ I think if any one truly loves they never forget. 
Circumstances may force them to leave their love, 
but they never forget. Years may come and go, and 
time may heal the wound, but memory still remains.” 
He spoke earnestly. 

“ Then you do not believe the words of my song?” 
Mabelle Angeline asks slowly. 

“Believe them? No; I do not like to hear that 
song sung. It is so sad and sweet, and calls up so 
many painful memories,” he replies. “It reminds 
me of an evening long ago when some one I loved 
very dearly sang it to me just as you sang it to- 
night.” 

“ Did she forget you?” She asks this because she 
knows it will pain him. 

“ I do not know if she has forgotten or not. She 
was not to blame, though, for our separation,” he 


54 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


answers. He does not stay long. He is unnerved 
by that song, and Mabelle Angeline is glad when he 
is gone. She is nervous and excited to-day, and 
wishes to be alone. She gives orders to the servants 
to admit no more guests ; and, going to her room, she 
locks the door and writes to her old frie:jd, Inez 
Wynter : 

Darling Inez I wish I could be with you this morning, 
and lay my weary, aching head upon your breast and talk to 
you, and hear your own sweet voice once more, petting me 
and calling me tender names as you used to long ago. Oh, 
how I long for the simple life of the long ago — even with its 
poverty and work. It is hard to believe that only twelve 
months have elapsed since I parted from my dearest friend, 
but that is all, and they have been, to me, busy months in- 
deed; for I have worked hard to gain the heights of fame. 
You know how I have succeeded, for you read every day of 
the beautiful singer , Mabelle Angeline, ^^queen of songf’ as they 
call me. Call me? yes, even me ; for the “ beautiful singer^* 
is none other than your old friend and playmate, Silvia Carl- 
ton. I shall not tell you how I gained the wealth and satis- 
fied the ambition of life, till we meet and I can look into 
those dear eyes of yours. I have found fame and wealth 
to be only “ an empty dream.^^ I have the world at my feet, 
and have tried to dfown my love in the all-absorbing love of 
ambition ; but the attempt was futile, for my love is stronger 
than ever. Dear, I cannot write more, for I have one of my 
old, restless moods, which nothing can quiet except a long 
walk, as you know. May God bless you, and may we soon 
meet again, is the wish and prayer of your dearest friend, 

Silvia Carlton. 

She rings for the servant to mail her letter, then 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


65 


gojs for her solitary walk. As she walks on her rest- 
less-.ess vanishes, and she is the calm, proud Ma- 
belle Angeline. 

As she beholds nature “ resplendent in its glory,’’ 
her heart goes out in humble adoration to nature’s 
God ; and, raising her eyes reverv^ntly to the clear, blue 
sky, she prays God to bless the wanderer far away 
from home and friends, and give him happiness and 
peace. 


CHAPTER VI. 

The day of the fete dawned clear and bright. There- 
was not a cloud to dim the bright beauty of the dear, 
blue sky. Just such a day as only June has — June,, 
the sweetest month of all the year — the month of 
roses. There is a faint breeze stirring, and the fl:w- 
ers are nodding their tiny heads lazily. Marah Cham- 
pion’s garden is one mass of blooming flowers. Roses 
were there in great profusion — the great white rose, 
that holds its head so proudly; the sweet white lily, 
that droops shyly as the sunbeams softly fall upon it, 
and the wind gently kisses its snowy petals ; the 
modest little violets, that bend their heads gracefully 
as if the winds were whispering to them a story of 
love ; the tall daffodils and the sweet, golden-hearted 
Marguerites, all seem to be holding high carnival to- 
day. Every one knew Marah Champion’s passion 
for flowers. She was so much like a modest flower 
herself, it was no wonder they called her the sta ely 
white rose. She is the fairest flower in the garden of 
flowers this afternoon, with her golden hair arranged 
so beautifully, and a single white rose-bud nestling 
in tne coil, and a bunch of the same pinned at her 
slender waist. She is dressed in white mull, draped 
here and there with tiny knots of blue ribbon and for- 
get-me-nots. She has dressed with unusual care for 
this occasion. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


57 


There is a sad light in the blue, eyes, and round the 
sweet, tender mouth are lines of pain and suffering. 
She is standing by a fountain playing idly with a 
marguerite. She is thinking of Douglas Sinclair, 
and of the cruel fate that had denied her this happi- 
ness. She had waited so long and patiently for his 
love, and now just as hope began to whisper to her 
fainting spirit that lie was learning to love her, fate 
had interfered, and Mabelle Angeline had come with 
her lovely face and voice and taken him from her. 
She did not hate her ; she was far too noble for that. 
The beautiful singer had not tried to win him. He 
had loved her from the first moment his eyes rested 
on her dark, passionate beauty. She was determined 
the world should not know that she, the proud Marah 
Champion, had given her love unsought. No, she 
would crush her love, even though it broke her heart 
and blighted her young life. 

When she first learned that he loved another, she 
had prayed fervently that the love might not be re- 
turned ; but after the first wild outburst of anguish 
had passed, she had fallen upon her knees and prayed 
that she might be forgiven for being so selfish, and 
that he might win this beautiful woman for his wife. 
Her love was too pure, noble and unselfish to think 
of self, and his happiness was more to her than her 
own. When she thought of the time when he should 
come to her and tell her that Mabelle Angeline was 


58 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


his promised bride, she grew faint and ill as she 
thought of the words of the poet : 

Ah, well for us all, some sweet hope lies 
Buried from sight of human eyes ; 

And in the hereafter angels may 
Roll the stone from the grave away. 

Ah, how many martyrs there are in this sunny 
world of ours ! How many persons who suffer so 
much and do not murmur, but are so patient — who 
find no happiness in life, but who do so much good 
and help so many weary ones in trouble, their own 
hearts breaking all the time ; still the world is all 
unconscious of it. They think happy hearts always 
accompany laughing lips and gay words, when so 
often the bright laughter is only to cover the pain 
from strange eyes. So it was with Marah Champion. 
The gay party which met in her garden and listened 
to her bright repartee, and heard the clear, ringing 
laughter, little thought how she was suffering, and 
how she longed to be alone so she could throw off the 
mask of gaity. 

She had a bright smile for every guest when they 
arrived, and the excitement lent a bright color to the 
pale cheeks. Douglas Sinclair was first to arrive, and 
as he bent low over her white hand she grew pale and 
trembled slightly ; but that soon passed, and she was 
her bright, gay self once more. 

“ Will you allow me the privilege of expressing my 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


59 


thoughts, Marah, my old friend?” he said, as they 
found a seat under the tall trees. 

“ Certainly, Douglas, such old friends as we should 
not hesitate to speak our thoughts,” she answered 
laughingly. 

“ In all your garden of flowers there is not one flower 
one half so fair as your own lovely self. You remind 
me of Tennyson’s words, ‘ Queen rose of the rose-bud 
garden of girls;’ that suits you exactly. You look 
like your favorite flower, the sweet white rose. Is it 
not strange you and Mabelle Angeline should have the 
same passion for the beautiful roses? you the white, 
she the red. It is not often rivals admire the same 
things,” he said. 

“ Rivals?” she answered quickly, as she raised her 
startled face to him. 

‘‘ Yes, are you not rival beauties?” he replied. 

“ I shall have to run away from you, Douglas ; too 
much flattery might make me vain ; I shall listen to 
no more to-day,” she said laughingly, as she arose and 
went to meet Mabelle Angeline, who had just arrived. 

She is dressed in her favorite colors to day — black 
and amber, and they show the dark beauty of her 
passionate face off to the greatest advantage. She as 
usual wears no ornaments. She has even discarded the 
bunch of red roses^ which she has always worn. 
She is looking very beautiful to-day, and there is quite 
a stir in the crowd when she arrives ; murmurs of 
admiration are heard on every side. 


60 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


Mrs. Stewart goes up to her ; and, after discussing 
various topics, asks playfully : 

“ Mabelle Angeline, what have you done with your 
red roses? I think this is the first time I have seen 
you without them, and you hardly look natural. Irene 
Bradford said yesterday no entertainment was com- 
plete without Mabelle Angeline and her roses.” 

“ I will tell you why I did not wear them if you can 
keep a secret. Can you?” she answered gayly. 

“ Trust me for that,” Mrs. Stewart replied, with a 
bright smile. 

“ I never accept flowers from anyone ; and just as I 
was ready to go to the carriage a magnificent boquet 
of red roses was handed me, and as there was no 
name on them so I could return them I was com- 
pelled to keep them. If I had worn any the donor 
would have thought I had worn his flowers, and I de- 
cided the matter promptly by* discarding them al- 
together. It was quite a sacrifice ; for I hardly know 
how to get along without my beautiful flowers,” an- 
swered Mabelle Angeline. 

“ There is Douglas Sinclair making his way to you^ 
so I guess I had better find another companion,” said 
Mrs. Stewart as she saw him coming forward with a 
smile on his handsome face. “ He will keep you the 
rest of the day if you will allow him,” added Mrs. 
Stewart. 

Mabelle Angeline looked up quickly, as she spoke, 
but Mrs. Stewart only laughed as she said teasingly i 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


61 


“ You need not blush so charmingly, for you know as 
well as the world knows how madly he is in love with 
you. Rumor says you are soon to become his wife.” 

“Then the world is egregiously mistaken for this 
once; and I wish they would not talk so much about 
what they know nothing,” Mabelle answered angrily- 

“ What are you frowning so terribly about, Mabelle 
Angeline? Has Mrs. Stewart been saying something 
naughty to you?” asked Douglas Sinclair, as he ap- 
proached. 

Mrs. Stewart answered with a mischievous glance 
at her. “ I have been telling her a wonderful story, 
and she refuses to credit it.” 

Mabelle Angeline is glad she has turned the con- 
versation so adroitly, and as Mrs. Stewart leaves them 
Douglas sits down by her. They do not sit there long 
before they hear Mabelle Angel ine’s name mentioned 
by some one passing on the other side of the shrub- 
bery, and before they can move the voice goes on 
quite distinctly : 

“Yes they are to be married soon; Mrs. Sinclair is 
perfectly charmed with Mabelle Angeline, and it is 
plain to every body how infatuated Douglas, is and ” 
— the speaker walks on, and the rest of the interesting 
sentence is lost to them. 

Mabelle Angeline’s face and neck are crimson, while 
Douglas Sinclair is white as death. So that is the 
way the world thinks and talks, thinks she; well, let 
them wait and see. 


62 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


“ You heard what they said, my darling ; why not let 
it be true ; for you must know I love you very dearly. 
Mabelle, will you be my wife? and let me protect you 
from the gossiping world? Let me shield you from 
all annoyance. Will you not come, my darling? Do 
you not love me. Sweet? you have been so kind to me, 
and your silence gives me hope. Answer me, dear, 
and tell me you will be my wife,^’ whispered Douglas 
Sinclair, as he tried to draw her into hia outstretched 
arms, • 

She rises and faces him, with a face set and stern. 

“ Marry you? No, not if you were the last man in 
the world, and I loved you better than life. Love 
you? No, I could never love a coward,’’ she said 
scornfully. 

“ What do you mean, Mabelle Angeline? ” he asked 
huskily. 

“ What do I mean? listen, and I will try and tell 
you. Have you no recollection of a summer long ago, 
when in words of passionate love, with your arms en- 
circling the waist of a fair young girl, you asked her 
to be your wife, and she answered yes ; a’fed you placed 
the sparkling ring on her finger, and sealed your be- 
trothal with a kiss, and left her, with the promise of 
returning on the morrow? but when the morrow 
dawned you did not come, but sent instead a pitiful 
little note, and in words that are too contemptible 
for me to repeat, you asked her to release you from 
the engagement, forgive and pity you, for you had 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


63 


been forced to listen to the advice of your proud 
mother, and you could not marry against your moth- 
er’s will. You could not marry, even though you 
had to break your noble(?) word, and you did not 
know that it would not break the girl’s heart also. 
But what did you care for that? You must be released, 
even if all the hearts in the universe had to be broken. 
It did not break her heart though ; for, thank God, 
her love had not been given to you ; and when you 
failed her she had nothing to get over, except the 
humiliating fact that she had been jilted by a heart- 
less man. Thank God, pride came to the rescue and 
she lived for revenge. She lived for the hour that he 
should kneel at her feet, and she could scorn and hu- 
miliate him as he had done her. I thank God that 
at last my revenge is complete, and I can deal with 
you the same way you dealt with me, when I was lit- 
tle more than a child and had no one to help and pro- 
tect me.” The bitter, scathing words fall from her 
lips and burn deep into his soul. She looks like some 
young tragedy queen, as she stands before him with 
her proud head thrown back and the sneering smile 
on the parted lips. Her hands are raised, as if to 
ward off his touch. Her eyes are flashing angrily and 
her breath comes in quick gasps. She is living over 
that hour when she had been so deeply humiliated, 
and had her pride so crushed and wounded. 

“My God, who are you?” he asked lowly. “Are 


64 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


you Silvia Carlton? If so, why have you not told me 
long ago?’’ 

“ Why have I not told 5^ou? ” she repeated scorn- 
fully. “ I will tell you ; I have been waiting for this 
hour that you might know that Silvia Carlton could 
deal pride for pride, and scorn for scorn, that you 
might be made to suffer as I suffered long ago. Do 
you know now?” she answered scornfully. 

“ But, Silvia, listen to me. I know I acted a cow- 
ardly part, and after I realized what I had lost I looked 
for you everywhere, that I might find you, and make 
you my bride, for I loved you with a love that will 
last through life.” He pleads earnestly. 

“ And did you think I would marry you then? 
Your opinion of your self must be exalted, or you 
thought I must, indeed, have been in love with the 
noble(?) man, Douglas Sinclair,” she interrupted 
sneeringly. 

“ Silvia, your words are hard and cruel ; I know I 
deserve them, but, spare me if you can ; for I have 
suffered too, for I love you. 

“ Love me ! That for such love and she snapped 
her tiny fingers contemptuously. “Your love was, 
indeed, a noble love — one that one could depend on 
at all times. You do not know what true love is, if 
you call that love. If that is love, l am thankful 1 
have been spared such.” 

“ Listen, my darling ; look in my eyes and read my 
love for you. You must know I loved you, I have no 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


65 


-excuse to offer for that contemptible act, except fear 
of my mother; and see, I kneel at your feet and ask 
you to pardon me. That was the only time in my life 
I acted cowardly, and I have suffered enough for that 
act to have made many a man, stronger than I, mad. 
Night and day you have been in my thoughts ; in my 
dreams at night you are always there, and I have 
dreamed of the time when I should hold you in my 
arms again, and call you by the name of wife, until 
it seemed as if I could not bear the pain. If I had 
known you were safe I could have borne it better ; but 
I did not know, and I lost all interest in every thing 
until the night I heard you sing, and you were so like 
my lost love that my heart cried out to you, and I 
learned to love you, and it did not seem I was wrong- 
ing my lost darling by loving you. Oh, my love, do 
not look at me that cold, cruel way. Do not turn 
from me so scornfully. Give me one kind word to 
dwell upon in the dreary future. Forgive me that 
one offence, and forget the part I played so long ago,” 
he pleaded humbly. 

Any one who had suffered less than she, or who had 
been less proud, could not help but pity him ; but her 
pride had been so bitterly crushed she could think 
of nothing else. 

“ Forgive and forget? Yes, when sun, moon and 
stars forget to revolve, and nature forgets her God. 
When the sea gives back its dead, and the birds cease 
to sing. Forget? Yes, when I forget Silvia Carlton 


66 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


ever lived, and that her pride was crushed and her 
heart turned to stone, and she ceases to feel her pride 
surging through her veins, like burning lava, and 
every heart throb ceases to be a remembrance. For- 
give and forget? Come to me when I cease to re- 
member what I gave up for you, and all for nothing ; 
then I may forgive and forget. Come to me when 
time has effaced the memory of that summer and given 
me the noble love I sent from me for you ; then come 
to me and ask me to forgive and forget. But not till 
then, for there is no forgiveness in my heart ; nothing 
but pride and anger remain for you. There is no 
hate, for I would scorn to hate anything that I hold 
as low as I do you. The veriest beggar, that goee 
from door to door,. town to town, begging his daily 
bread, is more to me than you. I think, if you were 
dying and asked me to forgive you, I would remem- 
ber my wrongs and deny you even then. If you think 
to heal the wounded pride and win me now, with a 
few honeyed words, you are wrong, for I wish never 
to see your face again. If there is one thing I despise 
it is a coward. Afraid of a woman ! She was too good 
to be wounded; but Silvia Carlton, the poor music 
teacher, was not. It made no difference how much 
she suffered, and you ask me to forgive and forget! 
Though you knelt at my feet till resurrection morn^ 
though you were dying there, I would not forgive you. 
I will listen to no more, I shall go home ; and I truly 
hope I may never see your face again.’’ She turned 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


67 


and left him ; but, before mixing with the crowd, she 
sat down by the marble fountain, and dipping her 
fingers in the cool water she bathes her hot brow, and 
when at last the blood ceases to rush through her 
veins so madly, and her heart throbs more gently, 
she joined the other guests ; and, making her way to 
the hostess’ side, she makes her adieus and is driven 
rapidly home. 


( 5 ) 


CHAPTER VII. 


When Douglas Sinclair bade Marah Champion 
goodby, she knew his love had been rejected; for his 
eyes were full of pain and his face was white and 
drawn. She pressed his hand kindly, and told him to 
come to see her on the morrow. He knew she under- 
stood him, and was glad he had such a true, good friend 
who would help him, and she knew that life was in- 
deed over for her, that from now on hope was dead ; 
for she knew he would never love again, for his love 
was one that would last through life. 

When he called the next morning, he found her 
with the same bright smile with which she always 
greeted him. He did not guess how she had spent 
the whole long night on her knees by the little bed. 
She had knelt there every night for years ; even as a 
little child, she remembered kneeling there by her 
sainted mother and lisping her tiny prayers. In her 
troubles, she had always gone there to weep and pray 
for strength to bear them. She had gone through 
many bitter hours of suffering, but never had she 
suffered as she did that night. When she rose from 
her knees she pushed the heavy hair back from the 
white brow wearily ; and as she looked up and her eyes 
fell upon the face of a woman, so pale and hollow- 
eyed, she could hardly believe it was her own face. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


69 


reflected in the large bevel glaBB. She had not thought 
it possible for anyone to suffer as she had suffered 
that night. 

There was a world of agony in the sweet blue eyes. 
She bathed her head and put on a dress of pure white, 
and the dress was not whiter than the fair face. The 
only signs of the storm of the night before were the 
pale cheeks and the great shadows under the blue 
eyes. She talked to him on every subject which she 
thought would interest him; and, seeing there was 
something he wished to say, she goes up to him, and 
gently laying her white hand on his arm, said ; 

“Douglas, what is it you want to say? I know 
there is something on your mind. What is it?’’ 

“ Marah, you are a friend worth having ; I knew you 
would understand me ; that is why I came to you. I 
have something to tell you ; but I am afraid to begin, 
for I have acted so cowardly that I fear even my old 
friend will turn- from me.” 

“ Not that, Douglas, never ; I could never forsake a 
friend,” she answered ; and the sweet voice trembled 
slightly, as she pronounced the word “ friend.” 

“ Let me hold your hand in mine, Marah ; then I 
shall know if you are still my friend,” he said. Then 
in his low musical voice -he told her the story of his 
love for Silvia Carlton. He did not spare himself. 
He told her all, and if the sweet face turned a shade 
paler and the agony deepened in the violet eyes, he 
did not notice it. Man-like, he thought only of his 


70 LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

own love and suffering. He told her how Silvia had 
said she would never forgive him, and how his life 
was completely ruined if he could not win her forgive- 
ness and love. 

She felt as if each word were a dagger going through 
her tender heart; for his sake she would bear it. She 
thought she had drank the last drop of the bitter 
drug, but the test of her love was yet to come. 

“ Marah, my best and dearest friend, I want you to 
do something for me. Will you go to her and plead 
my cause? ’’ he asked, as he finished his story. 

A sharp little cry escaped her white lips, and she 
clasped her tiny jeweled hands together till the rings 
cut deep into the tender flesh. 

He looked up hastily. “Marah are you ill? and 
I have kept you listening to me.” 

“ No, I am all right now ; it was only a slight pain 
over my heart ; I have them often lately. What was 
it you were saying? you wanted me to go to Silvia 
Carlton and plead your cause? was that it?” she asked 
gently. Even the lips were white, but he thought it 
was caused from pain ; and so it was, the cry of a 
broken heart, as it drained the last drop of the bitter 
gall from the jeweled cup handed to her by the man 
she loved more than life. 

“When will you go?” he asked; “this afternoon? 
I am so anxious to know how you will succeed. She 
surely will not refuse to listen to you ; may God bless 
you for your kindness, my dear. You do not know 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


71 


'what it is to love and suffer, and I pray you may never 
know.” Ah, how little he knew ! did she not know 
only to well? She promised to go at two o’clock, and 
was glad when he had gone, and she could go to her 
room and pray for strength and a little courage ; for 
she knew the task before her was harder than any 
she had ever dreamed of. When the little clock 
chimed the hour she was dressed, and the carriage 
was at the door. She wore a princess of rich black 
silk, and a hat with long black plumes, which hung 
gracefully over her golden hair. Never had she 
looked so beautiful as she did that afternoon. There 
was a subdued light in the violet eyes that had 
never been there before; and the lines around the 
mouth were not so proud as they had been. The 
servant invited her into the drawing room, but she 
told him she would go up to Silvia’s room. She tap- 
ped lightly on the door, as a sweet voice called softly, 
Come in.” 

She opened the door, and never while life lasted 
did she forget the picture which met her eyes. The 
room which she entered was one perfect gem of art. 
It was furnished in black and gold, and in a large 
chair sat the “ Queen of song,” with one arm thrown 
carelessly over her head, and her great masses of gold- 
en brown hair sweeping the velvet carpet. She wore 
a loose dressing gown of rich, creamy silk, and her 
tiny feet were incased in white slippers, which peeped 
from under the folds of her dress and revealed the 


72 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


elegant diamond buckles which fastened the slippers. 
She rises hastily when she sees who her visitor is, for 
she had thought it was only one of the servants 
knocked. She greets Marah with a bright smile and 
gay words. She is just as charming to-day as if the 
scene of yesterday had never taken place ; one would 
have thought she had entirely forgotten it, from the 
calm light in the brown eyes. She placed an easy 
chair for Marah, and then took her old place by the 
window. But Marah left her chair, and, going up to 
Silvia, she kneels at her feet ; and, winding her arms 
around the slender waist,, she begins in her sweet, 
tender voice the story which Douglas Sinclair had 
told her ; and she pleaded his cause so earnestly and 
tenderly that Silvia was touched, in spite of her re- 
sentment. 

“And why should you come to me and ask me to 
forgive him? what is it to you if I never speak to 
him again? ” she asks coldly. 

“ What is it to me, you ask? Then listen, and I 
will tell you, Silvia Carlton. Years and years ago, 
when I was a little child, I went with my mother to 
visit Mrs. Sinclair. While there Douglas was at home 
from school, and he was my playmate and friend. I 
went to him with all my childish troubles, and he 
was so kind and listened so patiently to all I had to 
say that I made a hero of him even as a little child. 
When I grew older I was taught to think of myself 
as his wife, when I should become a woman. As the 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


73 


years came and went my love grew stronger, and I 
knew that I did not love him as a friend, but as a 
lover. I do not remember the time when I did not 
love him. He was so good, noble and brave.” She 
paused for breath, and Silvia’s lip curled scornfully 
when she called him “ brave.” “He was not to blame 
that I loved him, for no w^ords of love passed his lips ; 
he was always the same kind, loving friend. At last 
he came to me, and there was such a look of tender- 
ness in his eyes that I thought he was learning to 
love me, and the dreani of my life was at last to be 
realized, but my pleasure was short lived, for the first 
moment I heard him speak your name I knew his 
love had gone out to you. I knew then that my 
dream was nothing more than an idle dream. I was 
wicked enough at first to think more of self than him, 
for I wished that you might not love him ; that wish 
was soon forgotten, for true love thinks more of the 
loved one’s happiness than of self; and so in the end 
my love triumphed, and I vowed to crush my own 
feelings and help him to be happy, if possible; and 
when he told me how in one moment of weakness he 
had lost you and asked me to come and plead for him, 
I promised, and I have kept my word and come. 
What it has cost me you can never know; but if my 
coming shall prove successful I will be willing to suf- 
fer even more. Silvia, say you will forgive him — will 
you not? Do not judge him too harshly. We all fail 
to do our duty sometimes. Do you not remember a 


74 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


time when you could have acted nobly, and did not? 
is there not a time in the past when you have been 
weak and failed in jout duty, and caused some one 
you loved very dearly to suffer, as well as your self?’’ 
She asks this gently, and Silva’s face turns white as 
death, as she remembers the time when she was weak, 
and sent Elmo Vane from her and caused him to 
suffer, by her weakness. Ah, yes, she remembered 
only to well ! 

The sweet voice of Marah Champion goes on plead- 
ingly : “ Will you not let me tell him to come to you, 
and will you not speak kindly to him when he comes? 
he has suffered so much, for he loves you with all his 
heart. I do not say he was not to blame, for he was ; 
but we will not judge him, for we are all prone to err 
and fall short in our duties.” 

“ How you must love him ! I do not think I could 
have gone to you and pleaded for you to pardon the 
man I loved,” said Silvia gently. 

“Yes, you would, if you had loved as I do. Silvia, 
have known him and loved him all my life ; and I 
have never known him to do anything which was not 
noble and good, and if he failed once why not forgive 
him? Are you a Christian, and say you cannot for- 
give one little offence? The Bible says forgive not 
seven times, but seventy times seven if need be. My 
dear, be consistent to your religion and Bible and 
forgive him this once,” she murmured. 

“Ah, if your pride had been trampled on and 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


75 


crushed as mine has been, you would not call it a 
‘little offence,’ ” said Silvia coldly. 

“ Has not my pride been crushed and humbled to- 
day? What do you think I have done with my pride? 
Do you think it did not crush me to the earth to have 
to tell you — a stranger — of my unrequited love? If 
my pride has not been humbled none, ever was, but 
if it would add one little drop of happiness to his 
life I would grovel in the. dust at your feet, and pray 
you to forgive him. Will you not listen to and heed 
my prayer? will you not do as I wish?” she asked. 

“What is it you would have me do?” said Silvia. 

“ I would have you forgive him.” Marah answered. 

“ What good will my forgiving do? I do not love 
him, and never can,” replied Silvia. 

“ Then you can forgive him, and be his friend, and 
let him feel that he has not sinned beyond pardon. 
May I send him to you?” she pleaded. 

“Yes, I could not listen to your appeal and not 
heed it; for your sake 1 will forgive him. My dear, 
I pi^y you,” Silvia said; and the brown eyes were 
filled with tears of sympathy and pity. Such love 
as this was wonderful. 

“Do not do that,” Marah answered hastily, “for 
I had rather love him, and be his friend, than to be 
loved by the greatest man that ever walked the 
earth.” 

All the flush has faded from the fair face, and the 
glad light from the violet eyes has gone ; and nothing 


. 76 LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

but agony remains. She drew her veil over her face, 
and, bidding Silvia good-by, she hurries to the car- 
riage and is driven hastily home. When the coach- 
man goes to the side of the carriage to help her out, 
he finds her in a deathly swoon. He takes her slight 
form in his arms, and bears her up the broad stair- 
way to her own room ; then hastily summons a physi- 
cian. For two hours she lays in that unconscious 
condition, and when she regains consciousness there 
is no light of reason in the pretty eyes, for she is 
raving with that dread disease, brain fever. For days 
and weeks she lays there, muttering and raving about 
Douglas Sinclair and her great love. 

Silvia Carlton had gone to her just as soon as she 
heard of her illness, and stayed by her till at last she 
was better, and could be propped up in the large chair 
by the low window. No one had been admitted in the 
sick room, for Silvia knew Marah would not care to 
have the world know of her great love. It was pitiful 
how she clung to Silvia Carlton and talked to her 
about her lover, and how some one had taken him 
from her. When she at last emerged from her room, 
she was only a shadow of her former self. She was 
so changed that her friends hardly recognized her as 
the bright, merry girl who had given the garden 
party a few weeks before. Every one acknowledged 
that she was more beautiful than before, but there was 
a subtle change in her. What it was they could not 
tell. Only one knew, and with her she knew her se- 
cret was as safe as if the grave covered it. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


77 


Silvia had seen Douglas Sinclair, and the sight 
of his pale, haggard face and sunken ^yes had 
disarmed her, and the last spark of resentment had 
vanished, leaving nothing but profound pity and sor- 
row. She knew he had suffered much by his appear- 
ance, and when he had pleaded with her to become his 
wife she had told him of her love for Elmo Vane, and 
how she would never marry — that all men were as 
shadows to her, for her heart would remain true 
to its lost idol. He had bidden her good-by sadly ; and, 
going to his mother, he told her he had not been well 
of late, and Dr. Kavanaugh had advised travel for him? 
and he had decided to go to Europe for awhile. 
He did not know how long he would be absent. 
He knew he could not stay there and see Silvia Carl- 
ton every day ; he was not strong enough for that. 

Amid new scenes, and among strangers, he 
hoped to find peace, if not happiness. He knew 
he could never forget her, but he hoped in time 
to think of her as the happy bride of Elmo Vane. 
His mother had pleaded with him to stay at home, but 
he was determined and resisted all her prayers. He 
thought of the time, in the past, when he had obeyed 
her, and wondered why he had not been strong 
enough then to obey the pleadings of his hearts 
and not his proud mother. He bade good-by to 
his friends, and one bright, beautiful day he stepped 
on the steamer, and soon the land of fair America, his 
native home, faded from view ; and great tears, that 


78 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


were an honor to his manhood, fell from the sad, gray 
eyes as the dear old home was left behind. 

He knew that years would pass before he would 
see home again, and the pain was more bitter than 
death. It was best so, though ; life had been a failure 
to him, and he would be glad when it was all over. 

He went from one place to another. He basked in 
the sunshine of fair Italy ; thence, to the south of 
Sunny Spain ; from there he wandered to the moun- 
tains of Switzerland ; and so on, seeking the peace he 
sought for in vain. His mother had died soon 
after he left home, and he had grieved for her as 
only a son who had loved his mother as he had 
was capable of grieving. The last link that bound 
him to America was broken now, and when he found 
a quiet villa, in the South of France, with such a look 
of peace and contentment about it, he purchased 
it and settled down to the quiet life which suited 
him. He had only a few servants, and few visitors. 
He had a great library of the best books in the land, 
and he spent much of his time there. 

He had learned much during his travels, and, 
though he had not forgotten Silvia Carlton, he 
had learned to bear his disappointment; and at 
last had found that peace which he had searched for 
in vain in his travels. He read all the papers, 
and occasionally he would see her name. They 
were always full of praise of her. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


Summer has shed her gay robes, and Fall, the sad- 
dest seasbn of the year, is here. The trees have shed 
their green leaves, and only dead leaves are there to 
remind us of their former beauty. All the pretty 
flowers have shaken off their sweet blossoms and 
gone to sleep, under the sod, Till Spring shall come 
and waken them from their quiet repose. Even the 
gay little birds have tired of the desolate looks of 
everything, and have stretched their tiny wings, and 
flown back to warmer climes. Those who have spent 
the Summer at the fashionable watering places, and 
those who have spent the Summer amid the rural 
country scenes — all have once more taken up their 
abode in the city, and the season bids fair to become 
the gayest they have had for years. 

What matter if hearts did break or suffer, and 
death had visited some of the once happy homes? 
A world could not stop for that. 

Laugh, and the world laughs with you, 

Weep, and you weep alone. 

Elmo Vane, the wanderer, is at home again, and 
once more society is wild to see him ; for he was al- 
ways a favorite in the circle in which he moved. 
There is to be a grand ball at Mrs. Lysle’s to-night, 
and he is to be present. He has changed very little 


80 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


since last we saw him. The blue eyes have the same 
sad, dreamy look which they had when last we saw 
him in his little hut in the far West, up in the lonely 
mountains. 

His head is held just as proudly, and the low voice 
is perhaps a little more musical than ever; for 
there is a touch of sadness in it. The shade of mel- 
ancholy about him only renders him more attractive. 

His laugh is very seldom heard, and when it is 
there is more of sadness than mirth in it. He is go- 
ing to the ball to-night more because he has nothing 
else to do than anything else. He does not dream 
that Silvia Carlton will be there, for he thinks she is 
Douglas Sinclair’s wife, and he knows he is in France. 
Silvia is very particular about her dress to-night. 
She has a presentiment that something is going to 
happen, and she is strangely nervous and restless. 
She at last decides to wear a dress of deep, rich cream 
mull; and, as she gazes on the dress, there comes 
to her a faint remembrance of a time long ago, when 
she had worn a dress like it to please Elmo Vane. 
She had worn a cream dress when she had bidden 
him good-by, and as she dresses to-night she little 
thinks she will see him again. As usual she wore 
her favorite roses, and had them twined in the coils of 
her lovely hair. Her eyes glow and sparkle, and 
there is a bright color in the usually pale cheeks. 
Her lips are like ripe cherries, and the dimples come 
and go in the cheeks and round the sweet mouth. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


81 


She had never looked so beautiful in her life, as she 
looks to-night. Those assembled held their breath 
when she entered ; it seemed impossible that a being 
could be so perfect. Every line about the beautiful 
figure was one of grace and beauty. A queen might 
have envied her the beauty and grace of face and fig- 
ure. She was standing by a large bowl of exquisite 
roses, and she had taken one from the rest and 
was carefully examining its snowy petals, when she 
heard the voice of Mrs. Lysle speaking to her. 
She had taken her old name now, and was not 
surprised when she heard it called. 

“Miss Carlton, may I introduce you to the lion 
of the day?” she asked, and then proceeded to intro- 
duce Silvia to Elmo Vane. A stifled cry escapes her 
white lips as she hears the name, and, glancing 
up, sees the handsome face of Elmo Vane, with 
his tender blue eyes fixed on her white face. His 
face is very pale, but his voice is just as calm 
and musical as if he had been addressing a perfect 
stranger. 

“Miss Carlton, I am glad to meet you,” he said 
coldly. She had held out her white hand, but he had 
ignored it and passed on to make way for some 
one else. It seemed as if a hand of ice had clutched 
her heart, and was tearing it out slowly, but surely^ 
So this was the end of her love dream. This was the 
meeting she had prayed for. Well, it was no more 
than she deserved. She was to blame. 


82 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


She stood where he had left her, all uncoDscious of 
the beautiful picture she made, until some one came 
up, and said laughingly : 

“Do you know, you had such a far away look 
in your eyes that I have been afraid to address you? 
I was sent to request you to favor us with a song. 
Will you not sing just one for us?” 

“No, I think not,” she answered ; and she hardly 
knew her own voice, it sounded so far away. 

“Please, Miss Carlton, just this once,” he pleaded. 

“Well, if you will play the accompaniment, I will 
sing for you,” she says at last. 

When she had taken her place by the piano, 
with her guitar on her arm, she turned to him, 
and asked: “What shall I sing?” 

“Something soft, sweet and sad,” he said slowly. 

Looking up, she meets the eyes of Elmo Vane ; and, 
glancing quickly away, she begins to play and sing : 

“LOVE ME AS OF YORE/^ 

“Oh, take me to your heart again — 

Oh take me, I implore ! 

Forget the words that made us part, 

And love me as of yore ; 

Oh bitter, bitter were the words 
That made us sadly part ; 

But oh, forget them, oh, forget ! 

And love me as of yore. 

A\^e meet, but ah, thy look is cold. 

And cold is every tone ; 


LOVE CAN CONQUEPv PRIDE. 


83 


We meet, but ah, as strangers meet — 

Thy every smile is gone. 

Oh chide me not, nor look so cold, 

But smile as once before ; 

And take me to your heart again. 

And love me as of yore V’ 

Never had she sung with such pathos as she 
sang to-night. She throws her heart and soul 
into the last lines, and Elmo Vane knows she is sing- 
ing to him ; for her eyes met his once only, and 
in that look he sees all the love and pain in 
the brown eyes. Sees, but he is too proud to heed 
and let the past be forgotten. Only once she had 
looked at him, and that was when she had sung 
the words “Oh chide me not, nor look so cold then 
the sweet brown eyes had been full of tears, and 
he knew that she still loved him. It was too late now ; 
the past was dead, and could never be recalled. 

When she had placed the guitar in the hands 
of some one, and taken a seat by the open window, El- 
mo Vane had been prevailed upon to sing, and as he 
stood there, with his head thrown back proudly, and 
a bitter smile on his handsome face, she wondered if 
he had ceased to love her. 

He began singing, in his clear, rich voice, and 
quiet reigned supreme in the room ; and Silvia Carl- 
ton’s question was answered, and her heart almost 
ceased beating, and hope died in her; for with one 
glance at her he had sung that saddest of all love 
songs : 

( 6 ) 


84 


LOVE C4N CONQUER PRIDE. 

LOVE CAN NEVER CONQUER PRIDE. 

Fare the well, alas, farewell : 

We have said our last good-by ; 

You have broken the troth we plighted, 

And I say, forever go. 

For I loved you, dearly loved you. 

More than all this world can know. 

You have proved to me false-hearted 
And I say, forever go. 

I will send you back your letters, 

And your picture loved so well ; 

We shall meet henceforth as strangers. 

But I cannot say farewell. 

Go now and win another. 

Win him, and be his happy bride, 

I this bleeding heart will smother ; 

Love can never conquer pride. 

When you have won a heart, dear. 

Oh then cast one thought on me ; 

Think of one who prayed in secret — 

One who would have died for thee.^^ 

He sang it through, without one falter in the clear, 
rich voice; and as he sang the last lines, that meant 
so much to Silvia Carlton, her head fell forward on 
her bosom, and she sank to the floor in a death-like 
swoon. Kind hands placed her on the sofa, and 
bathed her face with cold water, and chafed the icy 
hands till consciousness returned, and she raised her- 
self on her elbow and asked some one to take her out 
in the fresh air ; the room had been too warm. How 
the rest of the evening passed she never knew, but 


Love CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


85 


when at last it was all over, and she found herself in 
her luxurious boudoir, where the eyes of the world 
were shut out, she threw off the garb of gaiety, and, 
kneeling by the window, drew back the heavy curtains 
and gazed out into the starlit night. And the moon, 
falling through and flooding the room with its silvery 
rays, fell upon the white, upturned face, until at 
last it seemed as if it were filled with pity for the 
broken hearted woman, and it hid its radiant face be- 
hind a passing cloud. 

Alas, for a pride that was stronger than love ! How 
many such scenes of suffering had the same moon 
gazed upon ! How many sad hearts it had seen, and 
how many blighted lives ! Never had its rays fallen 
upon a sadder face, or a more hopeless one, than Sil- 
via Carlton’s. For when hope dies life is not worth 
, the living. 

"^-Ah, Silvia, it was hard to wait so many days, weeks 
and months for so sad an ending to a cherished 
dream! It were better if your bonny head were pil- 
lowed upon the mother’s breast, beneath the sleeping 
sod, than have to suffer as you have. 

As she gazes up at the bright, calm stars, one leaves 
its place in the heavens and descends lower and low- 
er and still lower, until at last it has gone from view 
forever. She thinks how like her dream it had van- 
ished just as quickly. How could love be faithful 
when even the stars left their places in the beauti- 
fut heavens and forsook its companions forever. 


86 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


Hope had vacated its place in her bosom, and dark- 
ness and gloom filled its place. Her heart and love 
were dead, and she must bury them in the same grave. 
She must “ cover her dead hopes over, and kneel be- 
side them and weep.” No tears came to her eyes to- 
night. They burned like coals of fire. Henceforth 
she must live and bear life, but it would indeed be a 
burdensome and hopeless existence without love. 
She would let the world call her the ‘‘ woman without 
a heart” if it liked. They should never knowhow 
she had sutfered. She would live for fame. She 
would live for the world and its praises, would fill the 
void in her aching heart. She would accept the en- 
gagement which had been offered her, and go far 
away across the ocean, and sing as she had never sung 
before. A mad longing seized her to fly from Ameri- 
ca, w^here she could meet him ; she would leave the 
old life far behind. 

Then the memory of his proud, haughty looks came - 
back to her, and her resolutions to fly from him were 
abandoned ; and, though she sutfered ten thousand 
deaths, she would stay at home and take her cue from 
him and give pride for pride. She could cover her 
broken heart with bright smiles, and would hide her 
wounded feelings under the proud covering of indif- 
ference and pride. When the sun rose and peeped 
timidly through the parted curtains, she was still 
leaning against the window with the same weary look 
on the pale face, and the sweet brown eyes had a calm 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


87 


look in their depths which had never been there be- 
fore. It was the calm of despair. Look which way 
she would, there was no happiness for her. A shud- 
der ran through her slight frame as she arose from 
her knees. 

Ah, dear girls, think well ere you send your bonny 
lover from you ! Do not place love and gold on the 
same level. There is no happiness without love. 
Gold cannot fill the empty heart ; nothing but love 
can do that. We may fill our lives with fame, and go 
in the gayest, maddest society, and have every luxury 
that gold can purchase, and still the human heart will 
cry out for love. Thousands have suffered as Silvia 
Carlton is suffering now. She had been offered a 
true, noble love, and had sent it from her for the sake 
of paltry gold. Now she is paying the penalty. How 
earnestly she had repented her choice ! How many 
vain tears she had shed, and sleepless nights she had 
spent, only she and God knew. Ah, dear reader, if 
you are a fair young girl, just budding into woman- 
hood, and you are tempted to reject love and accept 
wealth, pause, and think of Silvia Carlton and, ere it 
is too late, be true to your womanhood and your love. 
The cares of this world are great, and where there is 
no pure, true love to sweeten duty it is infinitely 
worse. Life, to a great extent, is what we make it ; 
and we often mar the happiness of our own lives, and 
the lives of others as well, by one weak moment, when 
we should have been strong. 


88 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


Elmo Vane^s greatest fault was pride. God pity^ 
the man or the woman who will let pride stand be- 
tween them and the happiness of their lives ! Pride 
is the greatest curse in the land, when it steals in be- 
fore love. How often words spoken in jest touch the 
pride of a loving hearty and from that time on it grows^ 
stronger^ till at last love is utterly crushed by its cursed 
whisperings. 

Although Elmo Vane held his head proudly and 
smiled when love was mentioned, and sang, “ Love 
can never conquer pride,” deep down in his heart love 
was strong ; and it was only by a superhuman effort 
that he had kept from taking SilviaCarlton in his strong 
arms, and kissing her sweet face and lips back to con- 
sciousness when she fainted ; but outwardly he was as 
calm as if no storm were raging in his bosom, and 
crying out to trample pride under foot and take his 
darling in his arms. May God bless him and teach 
him that love is stronger than pride. 


CHAPTER IX. 


Marah Champion has never fully regained her 
health ; therefore she is seldom seen in the gay whirl- 
pool of society, but her carriage is often seen on the 
poorest streets in the city, and her name is known far 
and near by the poor laboring people, for her hand is 
ever ready to help the sick and needy. She never 
turns a deaf ear to a poor, suffering human being. 
Even the coarse, hardened men, who committed ev- 
ery sin in the decalogue of sin, and broke every law 
human and Divine, who knew the commandments 
only to scoff at and break them every day, and who 
mistreated their wives and babes, honored and blessed 
Marah Champion’s sweet face. Her sweet smile was 
known to all of them, and there was not one among 
them but what would have risked his life for her. 

If there were a few more such womon in America, 
the glorious land of the free, there would be less 
drunkenness and profanity. If a few more of our worn - 
en were like her, there would be fewer skeptics and 
infidels in the >vorld. God speed the day when the 
wives and daughters will waken to their duty and do 
it nobly, and, instead of giving their time to the fash- 
ionable society and teaching their sons and daughters 
that to hold a high position in society is the great aim 
in life, they would teach them to read their Bibles and 


90 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


instill into their hearts the beautiful words of truth 
taught therein. 

It is no wonder there are so many drunkards and 
gamblers in the world when we think of the bright, 
red wine that glows and sparkles in the jeweled glass, 
and of the fair hands that offer the first glass to the 
young man just starting out in life. When the wine 
is given and passed freely in the most sacred of all 
places, the home, how can we expect the boys to be- 
come sober, honest men, as they should be? When 
some young man, who started out in life with all the 
fair promises of a noble life and a brilliant future, 
has been killed in some gambling den, where the 
wine was passed by boon companions, and midnight 
revelry was not considered disgraceful, but was sanc- 
tioned in fashionable society, do not say you are not 
to blame ; for if that lost soul could speak he would 
point the finger of condemnation at you and say you 
were the cause of it. I played my first game of cards 
at your home, and with you I drank my first glass of 
foaming, sparkling wine at your table, and your hand 
passed it to me ; and when I refused, you insisted, till 
at last I took the first drink from your hand, and see 
what it has brought me to. “Alas, the pity of it!’^ 

Marah Champion had never passed the wine at her 
table, and no cards were allowed to invade the sacred 
realms of her home, and it was no wonder her name 
was loved and honored by all. All honor to her for 
her bravery in taking a stand for the right, even amid 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


91 


the jeers and scoffs of society. Many young men had 
blessed her for standing by them when the wine was 
offered, and helping them refuse by calmly taking the 
glass of pure, crystal water instead of the cursed stuff. 
She had found peace and contentment in her work. 
Her love for Douglas Sinclair was just as strong, but 
she was not one to sit idly down and mourn a lost 
idol, and in helping others she found balm for her 
wounded heart. The world never dreamed of her brok- 
en heart ; those with whom she associated would have 
laughed the idea to scorn if any one had said she was 
not perfectly happy, for she had a bright smile and 
<5heerful word for all. “Verily the heart knoweth its 
own bitterness.” 

^ ^ 

Silvia Carlton had been in a perfect whirl of gaiety 
since the night she had met Elmo Vane. She was 
the gayest of the gay, her clear, ringing laugh 
was heard oftener than ever before. She was the 
belle of the city. Admirers flocked round her like 
the moth round the brilliant light of the candle, but 
she was indifferent to all. They were as shadows 
to her. She had refused some of the best offers of 
the day. People wondered at her fastidiousness, as 
they called it. Girls envied her, but still loved her; 
for she was so sweet and kind to all. 

Even those whom she had rejected honored her, 
and were glad to be her friends, if nothing more ; for 
she was not a heartless flirt ; she never encouraged one 


92 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


she was the same to all. There was a bright smile for 
one, a pleasant word for another, but she held them 
all at a distance. 

She met Elmo Vane often, but they met as stran- 
gers, and if she saw him in the room she was gayer 
than ever. She would not have him think she would 
break her heart for him. No, she was too proud for 
that. If she suffered in the seclusion of her own 
room the world was none the wiser. But the restraint 
she had placed on herself was telling on her ; her beau- 
tiful color was all gone, and the brown eyes encircled 
with dark shadows. Her dresses had to be altered to 
fit the slight form. She knew the straip C3uid not 
last much longer, and she smiled as she thought of the- 
mockery of it all. She did much good in her quiet 
way, and many a poor starving soul blessed the namo 
of the beautiful “ Queen of song.” 

She was going to a ball at Mrs. Radford’s to-night,, 
and she wished to look her best. Remembering Elmo 
Vane’s dislike for black,she determined to discard all 
colors and wear nothing but black. The dress was of 
velvet, black as midnight. It was one of the hand- 
somest in her wardrobe. It was cut square neck^ 
back and front, and filled in with rare old lace, 
through which her white neck shone like polished 
marble. The sleeves were short, showing off tho 
white, dimpled arms to perfection. She would not 
wear even her red roses. Her golden brown hair wa& 
coiled low on the snowy neck. She would have no 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


9a 


flowers or jewels. He should know that she did not 
care for his opinion. She arrived late, and was soon 
surrounded by a crowd of admirers ; but, weary of 
them all, she s«nt them away and asked Guy Radford 
to get her an ice. As quickly as they left her she 
skipped through the low, French window, and stepped 
out on the balcony away from the “madding crowd, 
and, walking swiftly so as not to be observed, her foot 
became entangled, and she stumbles and falls into the 
outstretched arms of some one who is standing in the 
shadow. She looks up quickly, and sees the hand- 
some face of Elmo Vane bending over her. Blue 
eyes meet brown eyes calmly for an instant, and a 
memory of the long ago come to both, and ere she 
can release herself from his encircling arms he is 
raining passionate kisses on the upturned face which 
is resting on his bosom, and is whispering words of 
love in her willing ears. 

Love has at last conquered pride ! 

“Silvia, my darling, do you love me? Have you too 
been acting a part all this weary time? Tell me. 
Sweet, have you a memory of that long ago, and do 
you love me still?” His face is pale and his voice 
trembles. He is still holding her in his arms, and 
she looks up into the blue eyes, but the misty splen- 
dor in their depths is more than she can meet, and 
she droops her head again and does not answer, only 
by clinging a little closer in his embrace, if possible. 
“ Speak, Silvia, tell me, do you love me?” he asks ear- 
nestly. 


94 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


“ Elmo, you know I love you. I have never ceased 
to love you, although you nearly broke my heart 
when you sang that cruel song the first night of your 
return — when I thought you had ceased to love me,’^ 
she answers at last tenderly. 

“ Ceased to love you? Ah, my brown-eyed sweet- 
heart, I could never do that. • My love is too strong 
and deep for that. Love like mine never dies. When 
I sang that ‘ Love can never conquer pride ’ I really 
tried to believe it ; but, my dear, I know now that I was 
wrong, for love reigns supreme. But tell me, darling, 
about your own dear self,’’ he says joyfully. 

“Not now, Elmo, we will be missed from the ball- 
room ; you must come to me to-morrow, and I will tell 
you all. Oh, Elmo, the time has been so long and 
lonely since you left me, and I have suffered so 
much.” There are tears in her eyes. Hearing some 
one coming, they walk slowly back to the ball-room. 
Silvia leaves earlier this evening, for she is too hap- 
py to stay in the crowded room. She longs to find 
herself in her room, where she can fall on her knees 
and thank God for this new happiness. She had nev- 
er expected to be so happy again. She had thought 
the future held nothing but gloom and sorrow, and 
now the dark clouds had one and all dispersed, and 
nothing but sunshine remained and flooded her soul 
with happiness. He still loved her, and he was com- 
ing on the morrow. Only a few short hours and she 
would see him, her noble, true lover again. She was 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


95 


thankful, now, for her beauty, which she had cared so 
Idtle for before; for his sake she was glad that she 
was beautiful. 

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thanked her 
God for her happiness, the first she had shed for 
many weeks and months — tears of joy and thank- 
fulness. 

The morrow dawned clear and bright. The sun 
shone through the window, and shed its bright radi- 
ance on the lovely, happy face of Silvia Carlton. 

The eyes were no longer black with pain and pas- 
sion, but were full of love’s tender light. Sne was 
dressed in a dark, blue cloth, and the alabaster white- 
ness of the transparent complexion was made a 
thousand times fairer by the flush of happiness that 
stole into her cheeks as Elmo Vane entered the room. 
He took her in his strong arms, and pressed tender, 
loving kisses on the sweet dimpled mouth and eyes. He 
strained her to his heart as if he would never let her 
1-eave him. 

She told him of her life since he had left her — why 
she had not married Douglas Sinclair ; and how, after 
being so bitterly disappointed, she had gone to one of 
the best teachers in the city, and had worked so hard 
to cultivate her voice for the stage. How she had 
gone to Europe and spent nine months in hard study, 
and had at last made her debut in London, and had 
sung to crowded houses in Paris; and how a rich 
philanthropist had been so charmed with her voice, 


m 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


that he had made his will in her favor, and, having 
died in a few weeks, had left her ttjje bulk of his vast 
fortune. 

“ So you see, Elmo, I did not sing for the paltry 
gold, but for fame. I thought to drown my sorrow 
and heal my broken heart with the chapter of fame, 
but, dear, I have indeed, found it an pmpty dream, as 
you predicted.” As she finished her story, she leaned 
her head on his shoulder, and looked up lovingly in- 
to the blue eyes. They understood each other per- 
fectly now; all the pride had vanished, and perfect 
confidence existed between them. 

“ You shall never sing to the public again,” he an- 
swered fondly. “ In the future you will sing only 
to your husband. You need some one to protect you 
and care for you, so the roses will once more bloom 
in those pale cheeks. How soon shall I take the 
dreadful task upon myself?” he asked gayly. “Mind, 
do not make the time too long ; for if you do I will be 
<5ompelled to exert my authority, and name the hap- 
py day myself,” he added, half playfully, still with a 
serious look in the blue eyes, which she knew of old. 

“ Not before Spring,” she answered ; “ this is Octo- 
ber, and that will give me time to get ready.” 

“Spring, indeed! You will do no such thing. 
Madam. You will get ready by November, for I shall 
wait no longer ; I think I have waited long enough,” 
he said. 


LOVE CAN C.ONQUER PRIDE. 


97 


“Oh, Elmo, November? and this is October; I real- 
ly cannot get ready by that time,” she cried. 

“Then we will marry and get ready afterwards, for 
I have fully decided to marry then. You can surely 
get a wedding dress by that time. If you look at me 
in that bewitching way, I shall not wait till Novem- 
ber to claim you,” he said, as he kissed the dewy lips. 

So it was decided they should marry the fifteenth 
day of November. They talked of the future gravely 
for awhile, and then Elmo asked slowly: 

“ Silvia, can you be a poor man’s wife? Think well 
before you answer. You know you sent me from you 
because you could not be a poor man’s bride.” 

“ Elmo, I had rather be your wife, and toil for our 
daily bread, than be Queen Victoria. I had rather 
own your pure, true, unselfish love than all the 
wealth the world contains. Do not remind me of the 
wretched past ! I would that I could forget it. I know 
now, happiness is not found in wealth, but in true 
love alone,” she answered, with tears in the brown 
eyes. 

“May God bless you, darling, and make me worthy 
of your love,” he answered, reverently. 

They were talking, one bright day, of his life in the 
West, when he spoke of his friend who had helped 
him bear life, while in the lonely West. 

“ I tell you, Silvia, he is the noblest man I ever met. 
The rough miners in that little place would shed their 
life’s blood for him. He is truly a friend worthy the 


98 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


name. His briglit smile and words of encourage- 
ment, have helped me when hope seemed dead in my 
bosom. And, when I would have wandered from the- 
beaten path into the paths of sin and vice, it was his 
hand that guided my wandering feet once more into 
the right. There is not another man like him,” ho 
said earnestly. “ He has had a great sorrow in his 
life, though, and his brown eyes are filled with silent 
pain ; but he never murmurs. I asked him one day 
why he had sought that lonely place, and such a look 
of pain crept over the handsome, noble face that tears 
came into my eyes as he answered sadly : ‘ My boy, I 
cannot tell you why ; but my sorrow was brought on 
me by my own folly and weakness for the flowing 
wine.’ That was the only time he ever referred to- 
his own life. When I told him of my love for you, 
he pleaded so earnestly for me to write to you once- 
more and ask you to be true to me. He talked to me 
so often of you. He did not believe you would marry 
Douglas Sinclair,” said Elmo sadly. 

What was your friend’s name?” she whispered, as 
she brushed the pearly tears from her brown eyes. 
The story interested her more than any other she had 
ever heard. 

“ He did not use his own name. He called himself 
Carlos, but all his linen was marked with the mono-^ 
gram, ‘ C. T.’ ” 

“‘C. T.’ Cecil Thorne. Elmo, listen;” and Silvia, 
told him of her old friend, Inez Wynter. “ Can he- 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


99 


be her lover? May be he did not sail on the ship 
that perished,’’ she went on, excitedly. 

“ Does she still love him?” queried Elmo. 

“ Love him? Oh, Elmo, her life is blighted for love 
of him. You will write to him, will you not, dear?” 
she says, quickly. 

“No, I will do better — I will go and bring him to 
her, for I am sure he is her lover ; for one night he 
was ill, and I spent the night in his cabin, and in his 
sleep he would often murmur tenderly, “ Inez, I love 
you.” I did not know then who the Inez was, but I do 
now,” he replied. “ Do not tell her anything about 
it, Silvia ; for there might be a mistake, and it would 
be cruel to raise false hopes in her heart. You will 
stay here until I return?” 

“No, I will go and stay with my dear Inez, and you 
can bring him to her home when you return. I shall 
miss you so much, Elmo, but for her sake it must be.’’ 
She sighed heavily. He bade her good-by, lovingly 
and tenderly, and that night started back to the 
lonely West. There was a glad, happy light in the 
misty blue eyes as he thought of his brown-eyed 
sweetheart, as he lovingly called her. 


(7) 


CHAPTER X. 


Two weeks have passed since Elmo Vane bado 
good-by to his love, and started on his mission of 
bringing peace and joy into two lonely hearts. To 
Silvia they had been weeks of quiet and happiness, 
for she had been with her dearest friend. They had 
met with fond, tender kisses and words of love. Inez 
had taken Silvia’s slight, graceful form in her arms and 
told her how glad she was that, at last, she was to marry 
Elmo Vane and be happy, and as she spoke of her 
happiness, her voice trembled slightly, and the sweet, 
calm face grew a shade paler. It was all Silvia could 
do to keep from crying out to her that her lover was 
not dead, but was coming to her as fast as steam 
could bring him. She had heard from Elmo only 
once, and that was before he had seen Cecil Thorne, 
or Carlos. She had not told Inez anything, for ii he 
proved to be her lover, she wished him to be first to 
bring the good news to her. 

They had taken long walks in the old familiar 
places, and had talked over the days of long ago. One 
afternoon they were taking their usual stroll, and, as 
they were tired of the noise of the city, they walked 
farther than usual, and found themselves in a beauti- 
ful wood just on the outskirts of the city. The day 
was an unusually pleasant one for October, and they 


Love CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


101 


eat down on the lower branches of a large tree, and 
Inez’s eyes filled with burning tears for an instant, as 
she exclaimed, “ Ah, me, how like my life the dead 
leaves are ! Nothing is left of their bright beauty to 
remind us of what they once were except dead leaves, 
ready to crumble to pieces at the first touch of the 
cold, winter winds. So it is with our lives. How 
strong and beautiful our love is until the cold, cruel 
winds chill our hearts with its keen blasts. Ah, 
death, how long ere I shall hear your welcome call? 
How long ere I shall lay my head on your icy bosom 
and find rest?” She stretched out her white hands, 
pleadingly, 

“ Inez, do not give up. Has your heart never whis- 
pered to you that he might not have been lost? Per- 
haps he was saved, and may come back to you yet,” 
said Silvia, earnestly. 

“ Ah, Silvia, do not try to raise false hopes in my 
bosom, for I have suffered enough already. He is 
dead, or he would have written ere this, even if he had 
not come; for he mush know I would think him dead 
when I knew the ship had sunk,” replied Inez. 

“ Perhaps he did write, and the letters were miscar- 
ried,” said Silvia. “ Inez, you have been so brave a .d 
borne your suffering so patiently through it all, that 
God will not allow your patience to go unrewarded ; 
and let us hope that soon the sun will burst through 
the dark clouds which envelop you, and your life may 


102 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


yet be happy.” She knew it was best not to say too 
much, for there might be some mistake after all. 

They walked slowly home as the twilight deepened, 
and were very quiet the rest of the evening. Inez 
pleaded a h)adache, and went to her room. She went 
in, and, throwing herself into a comfortable chair, she 
unclasped the tiny chain from around her neck, and, 
opening the little locket which was suspended from 
the chain, rained passionate kisses on the noble, pict- 
ured face, therein. Tears were streaming down the 
white cheeks, and falling on the locket. The hand- 
some face smiled back at her, and seemed to whisper 
words of courage and hope to her aching heart. 

“ Cecil, my love, my love, come back to me ; let me 
see your handsome face once more. Oh, to hear one 
word of love from those calm lips ! Only to hear his 
musical voice once more ! Oh, God in heaven, pity 
me ! how long must I suffer? How long must I bear 
this terrible pain? Give me more strength to bear 
the pain. Ah, me, if I had not sent him from me ! 
but better he should have found a grave beneath the 
briny surf ; better, ten thousand times, he should be 
lying beneath the peaceful waters, than have lived and 
become the degraded thing which he might have be- 
come if he had kept on in the wild career of intem- 
perance. Ah, my love, it were better for you, and 
for me ; for I could not have lived and seen you a 
reeling drunkard. That* would have killed me. Oh, 
my God my noble love to stoop to the degrading 


LOVE CAN C.ONQUER PRIDE. 


103 


level of a drunkard! How could you so far forget 
your self-respect and manhood? No, I could not 
have acted differently. I could not have married you, 
my love, knowing that you loved the wine^more than 
you did your bride. You understood me, my love ; 
you knew that I loved you ; you knew I did it for the 
best, for your sake and mine. Perhaps life will soon 
be over. Death will release me from this awful pain. 
Even in death I cannot hope to meet him, though ; for 
No drunkard can enter the kingdom of heaven,’ and 
he drank the vile stuff that makes drunkards. There 
is no rest and peace for me. What shall I do, for I 
have suffered so much? Could it be possible he was 
saved? No, that could not be. Why does the old 
pain seem harder to bear to-night? Where is my 
calm patience with which T have borne it all for three 
years? Oh, God ! help me to bear it a little longer, 
and, if it be thy will to let my life be a long one, help 
me to take up the cross and bear it ; but, if it be pos- 
sible, let this cup pass from me, and take me home 
soon, that I may find rest. I have drank the bitter 
cup — nay, even the dregs have been swallowed — and 
though it were bitter indeed, and with the last drop I 
drained the heart’s blood, too, through it all I have 
prayed, ‘Thy will be done;’ and, now I pray thee, do 
not forsake me, but be with me and help me in this 
hour of weakness. Help me to take up the thread of 
my broken life again, and live for others, and help 
them to bear their crosses. Help me to forget self 


104 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


administering to thy children, and live wholly for 
thee. Others have suffered as much as thy weak 
child, but they were stronger ; and I pray thee make 
me stronger in thy love, and do not forsake me in my 
hour of need. Let me feel thy great, strong arms of 
love, thrown round me, and see thy smile of love and 
tenderness beaming down upon me, through the dark, 
lowering clouds.” Such was her prayer; and when 
she rose from her knees, there was a look of calm 
hope and trust on the sad face. A great calm had 
stolen over her weary soul and aching heart. In the 
violet eyes, there was a look of trust and repose. 
God, in his loving kindness, had reached down and 
filled her heart with peace once more. 

Once more the day star of hope shone brightly to 
her, and the “ wee ” small voice whispered words of 
comfort to her, and the words from that beautiful 
word of truth — God’s word — kept ringing through her 
mind : “ Come unto me, ye who are weary, and I will 
give you rest.” 

She had gone to him, and he had comforted her by 
his infinite love and kindness. She could bear life 
now ; the storm was past. It had swept through her 
soul, and twined round her heart, till almost she 
doubted there was a God ; but that was all over now. 
He had heard her prayer, and shielded her from that 
dangerous rock of infidelity, and once more she was 
leaning on his strong arm for support. Once more 
she could face life with that same serene look of per- 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


105 


feet trust which had characterized her through the 
first years of her trouble. 

Thus it ever is. God in his wisdom sees fit to chas- 
tise us sometimes ; and though he is ever near, it 
seems as if his face is hidden, and he has forsaken 
us, and we forget to pray and trust. Then we cry out 
that our cross is heavier than we can bear; but he is 
with us always, and when the cross gets too heavy, he 
reaches down, and with his own. strong arm helps us 
carry our burdens. He is ever near. Not for one 
moment does he forsake us, “ fiis little children,” as 
he so lovingly calls us. It is not he who forgets 
his children, but his children who forget him ; then 
it is when we cry out for help and strength. So it 
was with Inez ; her faith had been strong at first, but 
of late she had depended on her own frail self, and 
was not strong enough to bear her cross alone ; and 
when God saw that she was straying from the fold, 
he looked down in sorrow, and, though he did not 
make her cross harder to bear, she found it so, and 
began once more to pray for strength and for peace 
and calm. He had heard and answered her prayer. 
The gray dawn was peering through the parted cur- 
tains, ere Inez rose from her knees and retired for the 
rest she so much needed. 

Silvia and Inez were going to take a horse-back 
ride the next day after Inez’s terrible conflict, and as 
they mounted the spirited horses the groom cau- 
tioned them to be careful ; and “ hold the reins tight- 


106 LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 

ly, for they are a bit restive this cold morning,” he 
had said, when they started. Inez rode her own 
horse. He was of unusal size and beauty. He was 
black as midnight, and held his head high in the air, 
as he pranced madly around, as if anxious to be go- 
ing. They < started at last, and rode for miles over 
level roads, and at last they start d home ; and as 
they rode into the city once more Inez’s horse be- 
came frightened, and, with a snort of rage and fear, 
started at break-neck speed down the main street, in 
the direction of the swdllen river which flowed by the 
city. Inez did not lose her presence of mind for an 
instant. With her little hands clutching the reins 
tightly, she kept her seat firmly in the saddle. Her 
face was white as deatn as she pulled on the bits, and 
spoke to the horse, but all of no avail ; for the crowd 
had only served to excite the horse, and he flew by 
with his ears thrown back, his nostrils dilated, and 
his breath coming in quick succession. Men held 
back, for they knew they might as well catch at the 
vivid lightning . as try to check him now. On and on 
he flew, faster and faster; but, stop! what is that? A 
manly form has stepped from the crowd, and, with an 
.effort almost superhuman, he springs in front of the 
infuriated beast, and grasps the reins with a grasp of 
iron. The horse rears and plunged madly for an in- 
stant, and the spectators held their breath, for they 
expected to see the man crushed under his powerful 
hoofs; but he knows he has found his master, and 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


107 


suddenly stops .still, trembling and foaming terribly, 
whinnying pitifully all the while. 

Eager hands rush forward to lift Inez from the sad- 
dle, but ere they can reach her the stranger has 
stepped before them and lifted her down, and is cov- 
ering her white face with kisses, and calling her dar- 
ling. She has lost consciousness, and, finding a car- 
riage, she is soon conveyed home, and when she opens 
her violet eyes again, Cecil Thorne is bejading over 
her. We will leave them now, for their meeting is too 
sacred for other eyes. Her prayer had been answered, 
and he was with her. 

Silvia had followed Inez as rapidly as possible, and 
had seen a stranger grasp the reins, and when she 
knew Inez was safe she glanced around and saw Elmo 
Vane standing by her side. Giving the horses to the 
care of the groom, she had gone home in the carriage 
with the others. Elmo had told her how they had 
just arrived, and were going to see Inez, when the 
frightened horse dashed forward. He did not know 
who it was till Cecil Thorne had exclaimed, “ My 
God, it is Inez and rushed out and saved her. 


( 8 ) 


CHAPTER XI. 

There is going to be a double wedding at the home 
of Inez Wynter to-day, and all the friends of both 
the brides are assembled in the elegant parlors to wit- 
ness the ceremony. Silvia Carlton, “ The Queen of 
Song,” is to become the wife of Elmo Vane, and Inez 
Wynter the. wife of Cecil Thorne ; for he had insisted 
on marrying the same day Elmo and Silvia were 
married, and, as they deemed it an ill omen to post- 
pone the marriage, Inez had done without the usual 
trousseau, and only had a wedding dress and a trav- 
eling dress made for the occassion. 

The sun never shone brighter than it shone on that 
day, the fifteenth of November; and never had it 
shone on fairer brides or handsomer grooms than 
these. They were dressed in long, trailing robes of 
shimmering white satin. The long bridal veils were 
pinned back with sprays of orange blossoms. Silvia 
came first, with her lovely brown eyes filled with love 
for her handsome lover, so soon to be her husband ; 
and a tender smile was wreathing the beautiful lips. 
Her face was a little pale, but that only lent new 
beauty to her spiritual face. The golden-brown hair 
was piled high on the shapely head, and a bunch of 
orange blossoms were fastened in the coils, with a 
single diamond star. 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


109 


Then came Inez, with her shy, drooping violet eyes, 
and her sweet face, with its look of sweet content and 
]>eace. Her beautiful golden hair was like spun gold, 
as the rays of the sun fell upon it. Those assembled 
thought she was fair indeed, but they held their 
breath in wonder at Silvia Carlton’s beauty. It was 
wonderful. She had looked beautiful before, but to- 
day, with the love light shining in the brown eyes, 
she was so beautiful that they looked in awe upon her 
fair face. 

After the ceremony, they quickly changed their 
bridal robes for the plain traveling dresses, and start- 
ed immediately for New York, where they would take 
the steamer and sail for Europe. They were going 
to spend one year in travel, and then they were com- 
ing back to settle down in their homes. 

^ ^ ^ ^ % 

One year has passed quickly, and again we see the 
lovely faces of Silvia and Inez, as they return to their 
homes with their handsome husbands. 

Elmo has bought the old place, and has had it re- 
paired, new rooms built, and all refurnished. He 
had Silvia’s boudoir furnished in her favorite colors, 
black and gold, and as he places his arm tenderly 
around the slender waist and shows her the rooms, 
she goes up to him and winds her lovely arms round 
his neck ; he bends his noble head, and, with unshed 
tears in the sweet eyes, she presses a kiss on his lov- 
ing lips, and he whispers as he folds her close to her 
heart, “ Ah my darling, “ Love can conquer pride.’ ” 


110 


LOVE CAN CONQUER PRIDE. 


Thus we leave them, hoping love may always reign 
supreme in their hearts and home. 

Cecil Thorne has bought a lovely place close by 
Elmo’s, and, though he and his sweet wife reside in 
the city during the winter, in the summer they come 
to their country home, and enjoy the solitude all the 
more after the noise and confusion of city life. 

Cecil is a noble man, and Inez never tempts him to 
return to his former intemperate habits by passing 
the wine in her home; for on her table glows and 
sparkles only the pure crystal water, God’s own gift. 
May God bless her in her efforts to save the young 
men from becoming drunkards ! 

Douglas Sinclair is still in sunny France, and will 
never return to his native land ; for he has found peace 
and rest there, and he hopes to live his life and at 
last fall asleep in his quiet home. 

Marah Champion is still doing a noble work among 
the poor and sinful. She has loved and lost, and her 
life is a sad one ; still she does not complain, but 
nobly bears her crosses and does her duty faithfully ; 
and though she hears the cross here, she knows she 
will wear the crown hereafter. She holds her lost 
love just as dear as if it had been returned. She had, 
in the one supreme moment of life, crushed her pride 
and pleaded for her lover; so she lives on, a marble 
monument, bearing testimony to the fact that, though 
pride be strong, “ Love can conquer pride.” 


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